Action for Schools

Research into education delivery 

Drug and Alcohol Education in isolation has a limited effect, if any. When education is delivered in the context of a holistic PSHE programme, where the school environment supports protective factors, the effectiveness is greatly increased. Pupils should receive education in a carefully sequenced programme, which presents the learning in age-appropriate segments, building on prior learning. 

Learning about self-awareness, influences, resilience, healthy relationships and mental and emotional health all contribute to children and young people’s ability to make healthy, informed choices. These elements should feature strongly in any lesson plan focused on drug and alcohol use. 

For Further information on good practice see Evidence Review - Effective drug and alcohol education (downloadable from the PSHE Association). 

 

Actions for schools 

Schools are an important part of any young people’s drug strategy, for building resilience, for early prevention, to identify substance misuse and refer into specialist substance misuse services. 

When individuals are identified as being involved in activities that cause drug and alcohol related harm it is important to employ meaningful input that will result in behaviour change.  Children and young people identified as experimenting with drugs and alcohol can be referred to Checkpoint. Referrals are taken from young people themselves; parents and families; and across the sector including schools, Social Services, Youth Offending Teams, GPs, hospitals, Youth Workers; the voluntary sector and CAMHS.  Young people can access help and support face to face, by video calls, phone call or text. The substance misuse service offers a comprehensive assessment and education. The service agrees goal-based action plans with the young person and assists them to achieve their goals. 

 Key Actions for Schools to implement: 

  • Develop a whole school approach to support and provide accurate information on drugs through education and targeted information such as the following: 
  • Provide accurate information on drugs and alcohol through education and targeted information, such as via the FRANK service 
  • Work with local voluntary organisations, health partners, the police and others to prevent drug or alcohol misuse 
  • Develop a drug policy that sets out the schools’ role in relation to all drug matters, is recommended, covering: 
  • The content and organisation of drug education. 
  • The management of drugs and medicines within school boundaries and on school trips. 
  • Have a designated, senior member of staff with responsibility for the drug policy and all drug issues within the school. 
  • Develop the policy in consultation with the whole school community including pupils, parents/carers, staff, governors and partner agencies. 
  • Ensure that the policy is consistent with their safeguarding policy. 
  • Establish and use clear referral pathways with local children and young people’s services, substance misuse services, health services such as school nurses, counselling, early help services, youth workers, and voluntary sector organisations to ensure support is available to children and young people affected by drug misuse (including parental drug problems).  

Suspensions and exclusions 

The number of school suspensions and exclusions due to substance misuse is low in terms of numbers in Torbay. Being excluded and or suspended from school can have a negative effect on young people and increase their vulnerability to problematic substance misuse. 

The Education Inclusion Service at Torbay Council provides a statutory, but impartial service for parents and carers, school governors, headteachers, school staff and other agencies about inclusion, reintegration, and exclusion.  Early support from the team can help a child to stay in school or return to school after an exclusion and offer opportunities to help them achieve their full potential.  If a child is permanently expelled the local authority provides their education from day 6 within the commissioned alternative provision.  The school or alternative provision are expected to make relevant referrals to agencies such as Checkpoint where necessary.  Schools are signposted to their local substance misuse provision for specific drug and alcohol support. 

The Department for Education collect exclusion and suspension data as part of the school census across state-funded schools (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-exclusions) show suspensions and exclusions related to drugs and alcohol for Torbay and England.  The percentage of suspensions and permanent exclusions in Torbay are both higher than the England figure.