The Blandford School

Drugs Education Policy

Policy Reviewing

Policy Status/Review Programme Reviewed by SLT January 2014

Ratified by Governors 13 February 2014

Effective from 14 February 2014

Review scheduled for Spring 2015

Responsible Person Assistant Headteacher – Progress, Guidance and Welfare

Responsible Governor Committee Students and Community

1. Status Non-statutory

2. Purpose

2.1 The Blandford School has a duty to inform and educate students on issues of drug and alcohol use and misuse (The term ‘drugs’ includes volatile substances, alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes or nicotine patches, illegal drugs and other unauthorised substances.) We take a proactive stand on this matter, believing that drugs education is a vital part of the personal and social education of every student and that illegal and other unauthorised substances are not acceptable at The Blandford School.

2.2 To promote positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles, particularly a sense of self-esteem and responsibility with respect to substance abuse, and an understanding that it may lead to behaviour, both in school or in the wider community, which is detrimental to health, personal safety and well-being.

2.3 To ensure that students are equipped with the opportunities, the support and the social skills which allow them to communicate concerns, be assertive and resist the influence of peer pressure and advertising, whilst making informed choices about the risks which they face, based on accurate and up to date information.

2.4 To ensure that students affected by their own or others’ substance misuse should have early access to support through school and other agencies.

2.5 To carry out searching, confiscation procedures as outlined in the Behaviour Policy with the aim of protecting students from harm and to action the appropriate sanctions related to the possession of harmful substances in school. The school would normally inform the student’s parent or carer where alcohol, illegal drugs or potentially harmful substances are found, though there is no legal obligation to do so. Illegal substances which have been confiscated are handed over to the Police.

2.6 To uphold the same smoke free legislation as other premises and ensure a smoke-free site with support for smoking cessation.

2.7 To recognise the need for authorised medicines in the care of individual students and manage these in school to meet the pastoral needs of identified students and the health and safety of the school’s community, both at school and on school trips.

2.8 To ensure that staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to drinking and other drug use in school hours and on school trips.

3. Who/what was consulted?

Teaching and Support Staff Governors Students via PSRE evaluations Parents/carers via the school’s website or on request. ‘DFE and Association of Chief Police Officers Drug Advice for Schools’ January 2012 ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2013’ Government Drug Strategy 2010 and Review 2013 Drug and Alcohol Support Workers Student Support Worker DFE Exclusion Guidance ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings’ The FRANK service (see 6.8)

4. Relationship to other polices

Children’s Safeguarding Policy Confidentiality Policy First Aid and Medicines Policy Behaviour and Attendance Policy Health and Safety Policy Single Equality Policy Visits Policy Curriculum Policy Sex and Relationships Education Policy Anti-Bullying Policy and Charter Community Worship Policy The Healthy Schools documentation is also pertinent, as are the tutorial programme documentation and the PSRE and Science Schemes of Work.

5. Roles and responsibilities

5.1 Headteacher or colleague deputising for Headteacher To liaise with the Police in reporting and handing over illegal substances confiscated in school.

5.2 Assistant Headteacher (Guidance and Welfare) in liaison with Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum) and Headteacher To ensure that an information evening for parents/carers is held each academic year explaining the drugs education policy and the content of schemes of work and that these are freely available to parents/carers. To liaise with external support agencies to ensure that regular expert advice and guidance is available to students as required, on an individual or group basis. To oversee the tutorial programme which supports the curriculum provision in facilitating theme days centred on personal safety and risk taking. To have responsibility for the drugs and behaviour policies and for liaising with the local Police and support services and establishing agreed criteria for Police involvement. To establish relationships with voluntary and other external agencies and provide links to supportive national organisations (see section 6.8). To liaise with other schools regarding the drug education curriculum and contributing to students’ transitions between schools. To ensure that the staff delivering the programme or supporting students are adequately trained.

5.3 Heads of PSRE and Science To review the content of drugs education lessons annually in liaison with the Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum.) To ensure that teams of teachers are up to date with their knowledge of drugs and request update training where required.

5.4 Heads of Year and BASE Manager To liaise with and refer to support agencies in collaboration with the Assistant Headteacher (Guidance and Welfare) to ensure that support is available for students who require it and to identify and provide appropriate early intervention for those at risk. To provide accurate information on drugs and alcohol through education and targeted information via the FRANK service.

5.5 Student Support Worker To coordinate and publicise confidential drop-in support sessions in liaison with the Assistant Headteacher (Guidance and Welfare) , the Senior Guidance and Welfare Administrator and the Drug and Alcohol Support Worker

5.6 Governors To be well informed on drugs issues as they affect the school. To have a role in policy development and in overseeing the Drugs Education Programme and contributing to any case conferences or appeals against exclusions. 6. The Taught Curriculum

6.1 Key Stage 3

A drugs programme is taught across the key stage in PSRE in a coherent and continuous programme. Students learn about tobacco, alcohol, solvents, stimulants and depressants. The following skills are addressed:

 Identifying risks to health  Communication  Decision making and assertiveness

together with developing attitudes on:

 Recognition of oneself as a role model and acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions.  Impact of the media and advertising on young people’s thinking.  Positive body images.

In Year 9 Science the effects of alcohol, smoking tobacco and drugs (legal and illegal) on the human body are covered.

6.2 Key Stage 4

I I In Science students are taught how we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs. In PSRE a more in-depth programme is taught in year 10 and 11. This looks at smoking, alcohol, heroin and cocaine.

6.3 Key Stage 5

Students cover drugs education as part of the Health Education session in a tutor period and contact numbers of support agencies are available to them. Information is provided in the Sixth Form student diary.

6.4 Knowledge and understanding

 School rules relating to medicines, alcohol, tobacco, solvents and illegal drugs and responses to drug related incidents.  Information about drugs including their legal status, effects and appearance.  Personal, social, financial, biological and psychological effects of drug misuse.  Patterns of drug misuse locally and nationally and the impact on the community and wider society.  Dangers associated with particular drugs, mixing drugs.  Drug policy in this country, including education, prevention, policing and legal aspects, penalties, treatment and rehabilitation.  Legal responsibilities and rights.  The service provided by local and national advice and support agencies. 6.5 Skills

 Identifying and assessing risks.  Communicating.  Decision-making and assertiveness.

6.6 Attitudes

 Social and cultural influences on young people.  Attitudes towards drugs, drug users and misusers and laws relating to drugs, including licensing and retailing laws.  Individuals’ responsibility for their own actions.

The programme is supported by close liaison between staff, together with visits from local police, ShADOWS (Shire Alcohol and Drugs Outreach Workers) the Specialist Prevention team and community youth workers. At times Theatre in Education groups carry out workshops with students.

6.7 Confidentiality

Ground rules should be established in the classroom at the start of any work in this area, so that students and staff are clear as to what will be dealt with confidentially. Teachers may wish to explain that in certain circumstances e.g. as listed above, or in cases where Child Protection is at stake, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Staff should always pass such information to the school’s Designated Senior Person or deputy. The school adheres to the government’s Information Sharing Protocol. Sensitive information is only disclosed internally or externally with careful attention to students’ rights and needs.

6.8 Sources of advice and local services

Local services: ShADOWS – Shire Alcohol and Drug Outreach Service. A young people’s confidential drug and alcohol service for under 18s across Dorset.email [email protected] 01258 488486

National sources of advice: Addaction is one of the UK’s largest specialist drug and alcohol treatment charities. As well as adult services, they provide services specifically tailored to the needs of young people and their parents. The Skills for Life project supports young people with drug misusing parents. Website: www.addaction.org.uk ADFAM offers information to families of drug and alcohol users, and the website has a database of local family support services. Tel: 020 7553 7640 Email: [email protected] Website: www.adfam.org.uk Alcohol Concern works to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems. Tel: 020 7264 0510. Email: [email protected] Website: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) A campaigning public health charity aiming to reduce the health problems caused by tobacco. Tel: 020 7739 5902 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ash.org.uk Children’s Legal Centre operates a free and confidential legal advice and information service covering all aspects of law and policy affecting children and young people. Tel: 01206 877910 Email: [email protected] Website: www.childrenslegalcentre.com Children’s Rights Alliance for England - A charity working to improve the lives and status of all children in England through the fullest implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Email: [email protected] Website: www.crae.org.uk Drinkaware - An independent charity that promotes responsible drinking through innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture, helping reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol related harm. Tel: 020 7307 7450 Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk/ Drinkline - A free and confidential helpline for anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking. Tel: 0800 917 8282 (lines are open 24 hours a day) Drug Education Forum – this website contains a number of useful papers and briefing sheets for use by practitioners: Website: http://www.drugeducationforum.com/ DrugScope is a centre of expertise on illegal drugs, aiming to inform policy development and reduce drug-related risk. The website includes detailed drug information and access to the Information and Library Service. DrugScope also hosts the Drug Education Practitioners Forum. Tel: 020 7520 7550 Email: [email protected] Website: www.drugscope.org.uk13 FRANK is the national drugs awareness campaign aiming to raise awareness amongst young people of the risks of illegal drugs, and to provide information and advice. It also provides support to parents/carers, helping to give them the skills and confidence to communicate with their children about drugs. 24 Hour Helpline: 0800 776600 Email: [email protected] Website: www.talktofrank.com Schools can receive free FRANK resource materials, updates and newsletters by registering at http://ddshl.broadsystem.com/freeleaflets.aspx Mentor UK is a non-government organisation with a focus on protecting the health and wellbeing of children and young people to reduce the damage that drugs can do to their lives. Tel: 020 7739 8494. Email [email protected] Website: www.mentoruk.org.uk National Children’s Bureau promotes the interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. Tel: 020 7843 6000 Website: www.ncb.org.uk Family Lives - A charity offering support and information to anyone parenting a child or teenager. It runs a free-phone helpline and courses for parents, and develops innovative projects. Tel: 0800 800 2222 Website: http://familylives.org.uk/ Re-Solv (Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse) A national charity providing information for teachers, other professionals, parents and young people. Tel: 01785 817885 Information line: 01785 810762 Email: [email protected] Website: www.re-solv.org Smokefree - NHS Smoking Helpline: 0800 169 0 169 Website: http://smokefree.nhs.uk Stars National Initiative offers support for anyone working with children, young people and families affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse. Website: www.starsnationalinitiative.org.uk Directgov Young People can help young people with information and advice on issues relating to health, housing, relationships with family and friends, career and educational options, money, as well as helping young people find out about activities they can get involved in. Website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/index.htm Youth Offending Teams – Local Youth Offending Teams are multi-agency teams and are the responsibility of the local authority, who have a statutory duty to [prevent offending by young people under the age of 18. Website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/yjb/yots/index.htm