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| | The school condones neither the misuse of drugs and alcohol by members of the college, nor the illegal supply of these substances.
The school is committed to the Health and Safety of its members and will take action to safeguard their well-being.
The school acknowledges the importance of its pastoral role in the welfare of young people, and through the general ethos of the school, will seek to persuade pupils in need of support to come forward.
In response to our shared concerns at a local and national level, we wish to state that as part of its care f0r the welfare of its pupils, the school believes it has a duty to inform and educate young people on the consequences of drug use and misuse. The school takes a pro-active stance on this matter, believing that health education is a vital part of the Person and Social education of every pupil.
Fundamental to our school's values and practice is the principle of sharing the responsibility for education of young people with parents, by keeping them informed and involved at all times. Effective communication and co-operation is essential to the successful implementation of this policy. |
| Whilst we acknowledge that the number of young people who use and misuse substances is rising, it is seen as important to recognise that a larger number of young people are choosing not to use or misuse substances. We will continue to support their differing needs.
We believe and support the following educational aims in respect of substance misuse:
1) To enable pupils to make healthy, informed choices by increasing knowledge, challenging attitudes, as well as developing and practicing skills.
2)To provide accurate information about substances.
3)To increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of the use and misuse of drugs.
4)To encourage ands understand for those experiencing or likely to experience substance use to widen understanding about related health and social issues, e.g. sex and sexuality, crime, HIV, and AIDS.
5)To seek to minimise the risks that users and potential users face.
6)To enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support.
These aims are fulfilled through aspects of the pupils experiences in the taught curriculum, the informal curriculum and through opportunities for extra-curricular activities. We deliver in the taught curriculum mainly through PSHE, Science and English areas, but other opportunities to reinforce learning will occur in other parts of the teaching programme. The college actively co-operates with other agencies such as Community Police, Social Services, LEA and Health and Drug Agencies to deliver its commitment to Drugs Education and to deal with incidents of substance use and misuse. Visitors who support the school will be informed of the values held within this policy. |
| The Roles of the Principal and CIFE
The Principal takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation, for liaison with the Governing Body, parents, and appropriate outside agencies and for the appointment within the school of a Substance Co-ordinator, who will have general responsibility for handling the daily implementation of this policy. The Principal will ensure that all staff dealing with substance issues are adequately supported and trained.
In instances involving substance misuse or supply on the premises, and following discussion between staff members who know the pupil well, parents will be informed at the earliest opportunity by the Principal. The college and the parents can then work together to support the young person involved.
If a young person admits to using or supplying substances off the premises, the tutor's discretion will be involved, but informing the Substance Co-ordinator is appropriate action. The Co-ordinator should inform the Principal, who will inform the parents.
There is no legal obligation to inform the police, though they may be able to give relevant support and advice. However, Duff Miller cannot knowingly allow its premises to be used for the production or supply of any controlled drug, or the preparation, or smoking of cannabis or opium. Where it is suspected that substances are continuing to be sold on the premises, details regarding those involved as well as, as much information as possible, will be passed to the Police Liaison Officer or Community Affairs Department.
The Governing Body will be involved in substance education and substance related incidents in the same manner as any other matter concerning the direction of the college.
The college will consider each substance incident individually and recognise that a variety of responses will be necessary to deal with incidents. The school will consider very carefully the implications of any action it may take. It seeks to balance the interests of the pupil involved, the other college members and the local community. Permanent exclusion is seen as a last resort as it may only transfer the problem.
Regarding the welfare of staff, the college will follow the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Council Policy on Drug and Alcohol Misuse as part of its Health and Safety Policy, which is designed to reduce to a minimum the possible effects of substance misuse on the user, other employees and the environment.
The Principal will take responsibility for liaison with the media. As the issue of substance misuse is an emotive one, and is likely to generate interest from the local and national media, the college will take appropriate advice and guidance from the CIFE Press Office and Legal Department to ensure that any reporting of incidents remains in the best interests of the young people, their families and the college.
A copy of this policy is held in the front office.
1/9/2007 |
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