Introduction
The following pages provide joint advice from the Department and the Association of Chief Police Officers. This advice is also available to download from this page. Please note: these webpages may be slightly different from the download version, as the text has been adapted for the website.
It is non-statutory and produced to:
- help answer some of the most common questions raised by school staff; and
- promote understanding of the relevant powers and duties, in relation to powers to search for and confiscate drugs, liaison with the police and with parents.
Unless otherwise specified, where the document refers to drugs this includes:
- alcohol
- tobacco
- illegal drugs
- medicines
- new psychoactive substances ('legal highs')
- volatile substances.
This guidance covers broader behaviour and pastoral support, as well as managing drugs and drug-related incidents within schools - it does not focus on drug education.
Review date
This advice will next be reviewed in 2013.
Who is this advice for?
The advice is primarily for:
- headteachers
- school staff
- governing bodies in maintained schools, academies, Free Schools, independent schools, sixth-form colleges,
- pupil referral units (PRUs) and other forms of alternative education provision.
It may also be useful to:
- local authorities
- parents
- school nurses and other health professionals who have an input on drug issues
- the police and local agencies working with individual schools to prevent drug misuse among pupils.
Key points
- Pupils affected by their own or others' drug misuse - should have early access to support through the school and other local services.
- Schools are strongly advised to have a written drugs policy - to act as a central reference point for all school staff.
- It is helpful for a senior member of staff to have responsibility for this policy and for liaising with the local police and support services.
