St Helen's School July 2017
1. Introduction 1.1 This policy applies both to activities on the School premises and to recognised School activities conducted elsewhere. 1.2 The School has a duty to observe and comply with laws relating to controlled substances, including illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and banned items. Notwithstanding this, the School recognises that harmful substances are available and used by young people of School age and that this issue must be addressed in collaboration with parents and outside professional agencies. The implementation of this policy is therefore based on trust and understanding between pupils, parents and staff in the best interests of everyone in the School community. Its purpose is to educate and to act as a positive and effective deterrent. 2. Aims This policy aims: 2.1 To raise awareness and understanding of the dangers of using harmful substances and the implications of their abuse. 2.2 To actively discourage pupils from using harmful substances in School, on any School related activities, and, indeed, at all. 2.3 To inform pupils that substance abuse will be treated as serious misconduct and that severe sanctions will or may operate. 3. Prevention through Education 3.1 The School will help pupils to develop and maintain a level of self-esteem which will motivate them to value their welfare and take conscientious care of themselves. 3.2 Pupils benefit from a continuing programme of education about harmful substance abuse at all levels of the School, the details of which can be found in the PSHCE schemes of work. This programme takes into account the changing perceptions of pupils in relation to substance abuse and it seeks to encourage an open and informed approach to this issue. It also focuses on the need for pupils to develop the personal and inter-personal skills necessary to cope with life in a society where many kinds of substances are available, some of which are potentially very harmful. These skills include seeking and sifting information, critical thinking, decision making and assertiveness. 3.3 Help will be provided for any individual genuinely seeking it within the School s health education programme. 3.4 Pupils, parents and staff will be regularly updated on developments related to substance abuse to ensure that sensible decisions can be made on this issue. 3.5 Parents and Governors will be kept informed about the School s policy and practice in harmful substance education. Page 2 of 6
3.6 Teaching staff will be trained in recognising the signs of misuse and will discuss changes in pupil behaviour in Tutor meetings as part of the pastoral care programme. 3.7 Information such as the telephone numbers of support agencies and services should be prominently displayed around the School to enable pupils and adults to seek their own counsel when required. 4. Substance Related Incidents 4.1 If any member of staff has reason to suspect that any pupil, either in school or on an educational visit, is using illegal drugs, is under the influence of alcohol, smoking, or in possession of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, glue or any other harmful substance such as a stimulant, he/she must report the situation immediately to the Headmistress or one of the Deputy Heads or Head of the Prep School. They will decide if further investigation or appropriate action is warranted. 4.2 Any of the situations listed below could constitute a drug related incident: 4.2.1 Suspicion arising from behavioural signs, which have given rise to deterioration in an individual s welfare and/or performance; finding evidence, such as cigarettes, matches, cigarette butts, empty cans/canisters, bottles or other items of equipment associated with substance abuse. 4.2.2 Emergencies: where an individual has lost consciousness or gone into a coma or is intoxicated so that communication becomes very difficult. 4.2.3 Discovery: when an individual is discovered using, holding, supplying or offering to supply a substance not permitted on the school premises; discovery of a restricted drug or paraphernalia that is used in conjunction with its use. 5. Investigation into possible Misuse If reasonable grounds are confirmed for suspecting that a pupil has been using or is in possession of or has the intention of supplying a controlled substance then the Headmistress or one of the Deputy Heads or Head of the Prep School will carry out the investigation. 5.1 Use 5.1.1 If the pupil requires medical attention from the School Nurse or from a first aider then this will immediately be requested, thus ensuring the legal responsibility for the health and welfare of the individual is discharged. 5.1.2 If appropriate and possible the pupil will be interviewed by the Headmistress or one of the Deputy Heads or Head of the Prep School with another member of staff present as a witness and a written report of the interview produced. Page 3 of 6
5.1.3 In accordance with the guidance published by the Department for Education (DfE), Screening, searching and confiscation (February 2014), the school can require pupils to undergo screening for any item. Further details can be found in Appendix 1 to the School s Pupil Behaviour Policy. In addition the pupil may be given the opportunity to provide a biological sample under medical supervision or a sample of breath to test for alcohol as set out in Section 74 of the Terms and Conditions of the School s contract with parents. 5.1.4 Parents will be contacted at the earliest opportunity by the Headmistress, one of the Deputy Heads or Head of the Prep School. 5.2 Possession 5.2.1 The pupil will be interviewed by the Headmistress or one of the Deputy Heads or Head of the Prep School with another member of staff present as a witness and a written report of the interview produced. 5.2.2 The pupil may be searched for the controlled substance and, if found, it may be confiscated in accordance with the School s Pupil Behaviour Policy. 5.2.3. Parents will be contacted at the earliest opportunity by the Headmistress, one of the Deputy Heads or Head of the Prep School 5.3 Intent to supply 5.3.1 The pupil and her possessions will immediately by isolated from all other pupils in the School. 5.3.2 She will be interviewed by the Headmistress or one of the Deputy Heads with another member of staff present as a witness and a written report of the interview provided. 5.3.3 The pupil may be searched for the controlled substance, and, if found, it may be confiscated in accordance with the School s Pupil Behaviour Policy. 5.3.4 Parents will be contacted at the earliest opportunity by the Headmistress or one of the Deputy Heads. 6. Discipline following misuse If there is firm evidence of substance abuse, any disciplinary measure will be at the discretion of the Headmistress and in accordance with the School s Pupil Behaviour Policy. The punishment will be discussed formally with the pupil and her parents and will take into account: 6.1 The short and long term welfare of the individual concerned. Page 4 of 6
6.2 The short and long term welfare of other individuals. 6.3 The difference between rejecting behaviour and rejecting the person. 6.4 The need for consistency in connection with other related incidents and previous treatment. 6.5 The differences between use, possession and intent to supply. 6.6 The School s response may include all or some of the following: a) Putting together an individual teaching plan, personal support programme or other support plan for the pupils b) Changing things at school, i.e. teaching set, tutor group, subject options. c) Making sure the individual is not a victim of bullying or similar treatment. d) Use of the Rewards system for appropriate behaviour changes. e) Enabling a positive input to school, i.e. participation in peer education programme. f) Assessment by an educational psychologist. g) Attendance at a counselling/youth/drug agency. h) Consultation with support services. i) Statementing. j) Supervision of break/lunch times. k) Regular supervision by school nurse. l) Referral to a relevant drug service. 6.7 The School will also consider involving the police for more serious offences or where there is a lack of co-operation from the individual or parents, although it is not under any legal obligation to do so. In the case of illegal drugs, they will usually be delivered to the police as soon as possible and the Department for Education recommends that informing the police would be an appropriate outcome of such a situation. The School may still, then, impose additional sanctions. This may help the individual benefit from the experience and they will serve as a deterrent within the School. 7. Review 7.1 The Deputy Head Pastoral is responsible for the review of this policy on an annual basis. Page 5 of 6
7.2 There will be a regular review of PSHCE programmes in the light of the most recent information. This review will take into account the trends in misuse and the need for continuity and progression in harmful substance education. 7.3 The Deputy Head Pastoral will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of this policy by: 7.3.1 Evaluating the PSHCE programme of study 7.3.2 Reviewing the procedures for investigating incidents relating to substance abuse particularly in the light of any changes to legislation. 7.3.3 Reviewing the School s responses to any drug-related incidents. Authorised by Date July 2017 Effective date of the policy July 2017 Date of Next Review July 2018 Page 6 of 6