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 Adopting
a Multi-Agency Approach
When an incident occurs it is important to follow the procedures laid
down in your school drug policy. The DfES guidance stresses the importance
of a calm and measured reaction to an incident. Make sure that you
record the incident carefully and seek advice at the earliest opportunity
from the Compass School Link Worker on 0115 9248232
Many schools have multi-agency teams, bringing together a range of
external and internal agencies/support with key school representatives
such as those in charge of pastoral care, SMT, child protection officer,
school nurse and sometimes governors. This approach is particularly
effective if teams meet regularly and are involved to negotiate the
best outcome for a pupil who has been involved in an incident or who
may be vulnerable to drug misuse. The Compass School Link Worker is
happy to sit on multi-agency teams or to assist in setting one up
with your school.
If you do not have a policy the LEA can provide support to draft one.
In Nottingham we have a range of specialist services and personnel
whose role it is to support schools, staff and pupils in relation
to drugs issues. Below are the '4 corners' of this bespoke support
for schools. |
Support for Teachers and Governors - Policy
and Programme Support
LEA Drugs Policy and Education Officer: Anna Power |
Anna Power's role is to support Nottingham schools
to develop School Drugs Polices and to plan and develop Drug Education
Programmes which build on good practice. Support available includes
bespoke in-service training, information and advice on policy
and programme, choosing and using external contributers to support
your planned drugs education, developing a whole school response
to drugs issues and much more. We have a range of financial and
practical support packages available to enable schools to develop
drugs policy and programmes.
0115 9476202
e-mail anna.power@collegest.org.uk
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Support for the Pupil - If
there is an incident or you are concerned about a pupil: Julie Odell and Natasha McDonald
Nottingham City Education Link Worker for Drug Misuse Issues. |
The Education Link Worker's role is to support schools and pupils
within the school environment in relation to drug misuse issues
or incidents.
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First contact for the school in drug related
incidents
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Provide a response where a pupil may be considered
at risk
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Co-ordination for appropriate referrals
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Screening and screening training
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Pupil advocacy
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Negotiation of supported alternatives to exclusion
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Targeted interactive group work
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Information, advice and support
The school should refer pupils to The Education Link Worker,
who is based at Compass Young People's Drug Services.
Individual parents or pupils should report their concerns to the
school who will then assess how they may proceed.
Young people with concerns about their own drug use can also phone
Compass who will support on an individual basis.
The Education Link Worker is the first contact when a drug related
incident occurs. We recommend that you seek advice and support
before action is taken to ensure the most effective support for
both the school and the pupil is accessed.
Tel :0115 847 0445 | Mob: 07919367640
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Support for pupils whose family
use drugs: School link worker - Emma Reith
STARS Project (Children's Society Supported) |
The STARS team provide a service to children and
young people who have experienced, or are experiencing, a parent
or carer who is using drugs or alcohol. The team offers ongoing
support in a therapeutic environment. STARS offer children and young
people the opportunity to make sense of the substance use and to
discuss the problem they have encountered.
STARS work with people from 3-21 years old where the need for such
a service has been clearly identified and who are able to benefit
from the service.
Referrals must take place with the knowledge and consent of the
parents/carers involved if the pupil is under 14 yrs old.
Tel: 0115 9422974 |
| Regents House – Young
Persons Education & Family Support Worker - Liz Ashby |
| Are you a parent or carer who would like support
around drugs, alcohol and young people?
We believe parents and carers are important to young people but
realise how difficult it can be to help young people make the best
choices in their lives.
At Regents House we can offer parents and carers information and
advice, offer telephone, face to face and group support, accompany
you to meetings and liaise with other agencies. We also run training
for parents and carers of young people who may be using drugs or
alcohol.
Our service is free and confidential and we are able to work with
you for as long as you need.
Our helpline is open 9.00am – 7.00pm 365 days year 0800 052
5959
e-mail The Regents
House Project - l.ashby@carersfederation.co.uk
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Linked Police Officer for your
School:
Nottinghamshire Police Safer School Partnership |
| The Safer Schools Partnership aims to reduce the
number of young people who become the perpetrators or victims of
crime. Within this larger document the role of the Nottinghamshire
Police in supporting schools in relation to drug-related incidents
is clarified and a clear protocol for police involvement
is set out. This protocol was developed in partnership
with the LEA and embeds the aims of both the LEA and Nottinghamshire
Police to reduce and prevent drug misuse and criminal behaviour.
There is also an agreed local protocol which outlines why the Nottinghamshire
Police and the Education Department do not support the use
of police sniffer dogs or drug testing in schools.
You can download these document on the right of
this page
Some schools already have community officers in residence at a
secondary school within their family of schools. The force are in
the process of recruiting further resident officers with a view
to having a named officer for each family of schools in the City
of Nottingham. If you do not have a resident officer in your family
of schools but have an existing relationship with a local officer,
we suggest you ask them to act as your police link for illegal drugs,
and other incidents. If you do not have an existing contact, contact
the beat manager at your local Police Station and ask them to identify
a liaison officer for your school.
 For information about Youth Issues Officers in the City contact - wesley.mcdonald@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk |
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