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The Protection of Children Standard
All reasonable measures are used to reduce or prevent children from obtaining drugs or substances which may harm them. If it is known or suspected that children are obtaining products which may harm them, strategies are adopted to reduce or prevent it.
For procedures regarding smoking and alcohol, see Smoking and Alcohol Procedures.
In July 2024, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).
Substances are defined as any substances, whether restricted or prohibited, which may have a harmful effect upon a child / young person; such as:
Alcohol, Cigarettes, Tobacco, Aerosols, Gas, Glue, Magic Mushrooms (Amanita), Petrol, Solvents and all controlled substances such as nitrous oxide, Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Cannabis, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Hashish and Heroin.
It also includes legal highs which are substances that mimic the effects of illegal drugs, such as Ecstasy and amphetamines, but are not controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act.
For procedures regarding smoking and alcohol, see Smoking and Alcohol Procedures.
No use of substances by the children in Childhood First homes is permissible. The impact on the children's group as a whole, as well as the individual concerned, is too substantial for a home to tolerate. As well as being a danger to themselves and others, children who are misusing substances endanger the home. In addition, they are out of touch with reality and unlikely to benefit from our therapeutic approach.
While it is understood that young people may experiment, the implications for our homes and the other children under our care are so deep that a clear boundary and understanding must be established. Children misusing are likely to be excluded.
All reasonable measures must be used to reduce or prevent children from obtaining drugs or substances which may harm them.
If it is known or suspected that children are obtaining products which may harm them, whether off the streets, from dealers or traders of any kind, the Director / Registered Manager and Social Worker must be informed and a strategy adopted to reduce or prevent it.
This may include engaging or involving the supplier, if it is safe to do so.
If the problem persists or is serious, relevant specialists or bodies, including Trading Standards or the Police, should be informed.
Directors / Registered Managers must ensure that aerosols, gas, glue, petrol and similar substances are only used for the purpose they were designed for, and only by staff and children who are known to pose no risk to themselves or others if they have access to them.
Nitrous Oxide is a colourless gas, also known as 'laughing gas'. It can be misused for its psychoactive effects – or to 'get a high' - by inhalation. It is classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended). Possession is illegal where the intention is for it to be 'wrongfully inhaled', i.e., for recreational purposes rather than for a valid use such as medical, dental or industrial.
For further information, see: Nitrous oxide ban: guidance (GOV.UK).
Further procedures are provided in First Aid and Medication Procedure re: Controlled Drugs: Section 2.1, Misuse of prescription drugs or overdose.
Under no circumstances may controlled drugs and substances, other than those prescribed by a medical practitioner, be permitted in any home.
Each Director / Registered Manager must ensure that information, guidance and advice on the risks associated with harmful drugs and substances are available to all children in the home.
Additionally, any child known or suspected to be participating in drug or substance misuse activities must be provided with the following:
The strategy should state whether, and in what circumstances, the Police will be notified.
If it is suspected that a child is misusing harmful drugs or substances and no strategy exists to reduce or prevent the behaviour, the Director / Registered Manager and relevant social worker(s) should reach an agreement on how to proceed; this will include whether the Police will be notified.
If there are immediate risks, which make it impractical to contact the Director or social worker, staff should take what actions are immediately necessary then inform a senior manager and social worker(s) at the first opportunity.
The actions that staff take will be dependent on the circumstances and the degree of offence or injury that is likely, but staff must be mindful of the following:
See the following additional chapters:
No further action, beyond making the situation safe and attempting to confiscate harmful drugs or substances, should be taken without a manager's authorisation, preferably in consultation with the relevant social worker.
However, the staff should undertake the following if a senior manager is not available within a reasonable timescale:
When safe to do so, a senior manager and relevant social workers should be notified and a decision reached on the actions/measure which should be taken. This should include whether the Police should be notified.
Any incidents must be notified immediately to the Director / Registered Manager, and the relevant social worker within 1 working day.
Serious incidents; e.g. If the Police or other emergency services are called. The Residential Services Director and Chief Executive / Responsible Individual must be notified and consideration given to whether the incident is a Notifiable Event, see Notification of Serious Events Procedure.All incidents must be recorded in the homes Daily Log and relevant child's Daily Record.
An Incident Report must also be completed and a Schedule 5 Record.
The child's Placement Plan should be reviewed with a view to incorporating strategies to reduce or prevent future incidents.
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