Substance Misuse Policy

Transcription

1 Substance Misuse Policy Effective from Last revision: Substance Misuse Policy V2.3 1

2 Policy: Substance Misuse Policy Version: 2.3 Synopsis: Policy Owner: Relevant to: The purpose of this policy is to set out the College s stance on the misuse and abuse of illegal substances, drugs and alcohol both in college and in residence. UK Director of Student Services Students and Staff Date introduced: 14 th April 2014 Next review date: September 2018 Related Study Group Documents: Date(s) modified/reviewed: Child Protection Policy Student Code of Conduct First Aid/Response to Injuries, Illnesses & Medical Emergencies Policy Global Code of Conduct Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures 13th May th May th October st October 2015 (Sandy Connors) reviewed and updated against current legislation. Use of dogs for searches included. 26 th April 2016 (Sandy Connors) Amended to reflect Vizards comments 1 st September 2016 (Sandy Connors). Amended to reflect the new KCSIE guidance. 16 th Feb 2017 (Sandy Connors) amendment to reflect staff changes at Bellerbys London. 17 th May 2017 (Sandy Connors) Technical review. Minor changes made. 5 Jul 17 Principal s Review Substance Misuse Policy V2.3 2

3 Contents 1. Purpose 2. Scope 3. Policy Aims 4. Drugs 5. Alcohol 6. Smoking 7. Supporting the student 7.1. Raising awareness through teaching and learning 7.2. Health care 7.3. Medical emergencies 8. Raising concerns 9. Incident management 9.1 Room searches 9.2 Dog searches 10. Appendix 1: External Support Services This Policy should be read in conjunction with Local Bellerbys Procedures Substance Misuse Policy V2.3 3

4 Substance Misuse Policy 1. Purpose This policy relates to the misuse and abuse of illegal substances, drugs and alcohol both in college and in residence. This policy has been developed with the involvement of internal staff and external advisors. It draws on the guidance from the current Government Drug Strategy 2010: Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, Building Recovery and the ACPO drug advice for schools (issued September 2012). It also gives due regard to Working Together to Safeguard Children, February 2017, Keeping Children Safe in Education, September 2016, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Psychoactive Substances Act, Jan Scope This policy applies to all students for the duration of their time at Bellerbys, to staff members who are required to enact the policy during the course of their duties and to Homestay hosts. Staff should refer to the Global Code of Conduct for further information. The policy applies to all illegal substances, drugs, alcohol or any substance that is misused as detailed below: Drugs: Any illegal substance or any legal substance that can be misused (including psychoactive substances legal highs ) Illegal: Any drug or substance included within the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Misuse: Using a substance for any reason other than its intended use Alcohol: Any intoxicating liquid that has age restrictions attached 3. Policy aims The aims of this policy are to: Provide clarity on substance abuse and misuse Provide clear guidelines for staff on the abuse or misuse of drugs and alcohol Provide suitable support for students with drug or alcohol issues Enable staff to raise concerns associated to drug or alcohol use 4. Drugs The College does not condone the misuse or abuse of any drug at any time. This includes both illegal drugs as described by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and drugs open to misuse such as psychoactive substances legal highs and solvents. In the event that a student is found to have used drugs or there is sufficient evidence to assume or suspect drug taking has taken place then then student will be dealt with under the Student Disciplinary Policy. Evidence of actual or possible drug use can include (not exhaustive): Drugs or associated paraphernalia are found on college premises Being found in possession of drugs and/or associated paraphernalia Substance Misuse Policy V2.3 4

5 Display of symptoms that could indicate the influence of drugs Staff witnesses the illegitimate sale or supply of drugs is taking place in or outside the college Student discloses that they or a family member/friend are misusing drugs Student disclosures of misuse of drugs in Homestay Reports from fellow students or staff members Under the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures, the use of drugs is considered gross misconduct and could lead to expulsion. If a student is caught in possession of a class A or class B drug then the relevant authorities will be informed in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act Alcohol The College does not condone the use of alcohol by any student under the age of 18. It is illegal for a person under 18 to purchase alcohol. In the event that a student under the age of 18 has been found to have consumed alcohol or staff are suspicious that alcohol has been consumed then this will be dealt with under the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. If a student over 18 has purchased alcohol for an underage student then staff must address this through the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. Persistent offences will be considered gross misconduct and could result in expulsion. 6. Smoking It is illegal to purchase tobacco products for students under 16 years old. This includes all tobacco and vaping products. It is also illegal to purchase cigarettes for students who are under 18 years old. In the event that a student is found to have purchased cigarettes for any student under 18 years old, staff should refer to the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. 7. Supporting the student Bellerbys College is aware that the use of drugs and alcohol could indicate abuse or neglect and as such all students who have been found to be using drugs and alcohol will be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or a member of the welfare team as per the Child Protection Policy. 7.1 Raising awareness through teaching and learning The College acknowledges the importance of its pastoral role in promoting the wellbeing of all students and will seek to encourage students to make informed decisions and lead a healthy lifestyle. For this reason, education on drugs will be provided through the PSHE programme. The PSHE programme aims to: Enable students to make healthy, informed choices by increasing knowledge, challenging attitudes and developing and practising skills Provide accurate information about substances Increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of use and misuse Encourage an understanding for those experiencing or likely to experience substance use Widen understanding about related health and social issues, e.g. sex and sexuality, crime, HIV and AIDS Enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support. Please refer to the Academic Curriculum Area Policies for further information Substance Misuse Policy V2.3 5

6 7.2 Health care All students identified as misusing or abusing drugs and/or alcohol will be referred to an appropriate staff member (i.e. College Nurse and/or Welfare Officer) who will access the most appropriate support available. On occasion this will be provided externally to the College e.g. drugs counselling. A non-exhaustive list of the external support available is detailed in Appendix Medical emergencies In the event of a medical emergency relating to drug or alcohol use, staff should refer to the First Aid/Response to Injuries, Illnesses & Medical Emergencies Policy and call a First Aider. In the event that First Aider is unavailable, then the emergency services should be contacted on Raising Concerns All staff must be vigilant to the possibility of a student using drugs and alcohol. In the event that staff have suspicions of drug and alcohol usage or misuse, these concerns must be passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead via a Welfare Concerns form or other means of communication as detailed within the Child Protection Policy. 9. Incident management Management of incidents will be decided locally by the Principal however the DFE Guidance for Schools is available within the College locally. 9.1 Room searches On occasion it will be deemed necessary for staff to search a student s residence, bag or locker as a result of reports of drug taking or suspicions of underage alcohol consumption. Please refer to the Bellerbys College Student Disciplinary Policy and local procedures for guidance on room searches. 9.2 Dog searches In the event that there is evidence of illicit drugs on College premises (including the residences), the Principal may decide to order a dog search. Dogs for search purposes are provided by an external organisation therefore a staff member must be present throughout the search as per contractor requirements within the Child Protection Policy. Searches will be restricted to common areas such as common rooms, kitchens and corridors. It will not include student s bedrooms or personal belongings. In the event that the dog gives a drug indication to a student s room from the corridor, the College will seek to gain the student s permission for a fuller search as detailed within Bellerbys College Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. In the event that a dog search detects drugs on a student s person, then the College will request permission from the student to conduct a body search as detailed within Bellerbys College Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. 9.3 Drug Testing The College will not routinely undertake any form of drug testing. In the event that a parent specifically requests a drug test, this will be undertaken by an external agency. Substance Misuse Policy V2.3 6