Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

Supported lodgings hosts should ensure that young people are educated about alcohol. It is accepted that the more that young people know, the more likely they are to make good decisions about how to deal with smoking, drinking and the inappropriate use of drugs. It is good to talk about this subject so that you can give out the right messages and information.

Changing the way that people behave with alcohol and drugs is partly dependent on persuasion so it is really important that channels of communication are kept open. This does not mean that you approve of what the young person might be doing.

Young people should never be given alcohol by supported lodgings hosts.  However, there might be special or festive occasions when hosts want to offer a young person a small glass of alcohol. This should be discussed with the young person’s social worker in advance and the young person’s parents if appropriate. They might a religious or cultural reason that should be considered or alcohol might have been a negative feature of their home life. Any decision to give a young person alcohol must be agreed with parents and supported lodging hosts and be clear in the young person’s care plan.

Supported lodgings hosts do not need to know everything about drugs and substances to respond appropriately and competently to young people that they are caring for.

All young people can be tempted to experiment with drugs, no matter where they come from or their background. Some young people will be in care because of substance misuse in their family and this may inform how they feel about drugs and their knowledge.

Substances are any substances, whether restricted or prohibited, which may have a harmful effect upon a young person, such as:

Aerosols, Gas, Glue, Magic Mushrooms (Amanita), Petrol, Solvents and Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Cannabis, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Nitrous Oxide (NOS) Hashish and Heroin. This can also include alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco.

It also includes psychoactive substances which can cause changes to a young person’s sensation, perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and behaviour.

See also:

• Frank - New Psychoactive Substances.
• Frank - Drugs A-Z.
• Frank regarding drugs and the law.

It is often difficult to tell if a young person is using drugs, particularly when a young person first takes drugs or only takes them occasionally.

Some possible indications of drug abuse are:

• Sudden changes of mood;
• Irritability;
• Loss of appetite;
• Increased appetite - possibly wanting sweet things more;
• Drowsiness or sleepiness;
• Evidence of telling lies;
• Unexplained loss of money or belongings;
• Unusual smells, stains or marks on the body, clothes or around the house.

Many of these signs are easily confused with normal growing up. It is vital that you do not make it a taboo subject but perhaps use opportunities such as stories in the media and on TV to start conversations.

It is important not to jump to the wrong conclusion, but speak to the young person’s social worker or your Supervising Worker if you are concerned. Further specialist training is available on drug and alcohol misuse and there are people who specialise in working with children on these issues. Access to these services should be done in conjunction with the young person’s social worker. You could be held responsible for any illegal drugs that are kept in your home so having clear boundaries about drug use is important.

Young people often have access to a range of domestic products that are harmful and potentially fatal to them when inhaled. You need to be vigilant with young people around aerosol products, nail varnish, corrective fluid, glues etc.

Training is also provided by the supported lodgings Service; speak to your Supervising Worker.

As a supported lodgings host you would be deregistered if you are found to be using any type of illegal drugs and have a drug or alcohol problem.

Not all young people will smoke and some may have a period of just trying it but they can quite quickly become hooked on cigarettes/vapes. This guidance applies to the use of tobacco as well as e-cigarettes.

Some young people placed with you may already have a smoking habit. You should support and encourage young people to reduce or stop smoking. You can get support from the Looked After Children’s Nurse or the young person’s GP.

Remember:

• It is against the law for retailers to sell cigarettes/cigarette papers, tobacco, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes/vapes) or e-liquids to someone under 18;
• Rules about when, where and by who is allowed to smoke should be clear;
• To be a positive role model to young people;
• To raise awareness of the effects of smoking and tobacco use and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Your role is to:

• Consider your own health, your family and young people in placement. If you are offered smoking cessation support, you have a duty to consider taking up the service;
• Be mindful that your behaviour provides a role model for the young people in placement and consider the effect of smoking on young people;
• Never buy cigarettes/vapes or materials used for smoking for young people in placement and cigarettes/vapes must never be used as a reward for good behaviour;
• Put in place household rules about smoking/vaping, making these clear to young people placed with you;
• It is illegal to smoke in your car when carrying someone who is under 18 (see GOV.UK, Smoking in vehicles). This applies when people have the windows down or the sunroof open, or are sitting in the open doorway of a car.

The rules don't apply to e-cigarettes (vaping) or a convertible car with the roof completely down. However as the effects of this are unknown, the supported lodgings Service views this in the same way as smoking and would recommend you do not do this with young people present.

If it suspected that a young person is misusing harmful drugs or substances and no strategy exists to reduce or prevent the behaviour, your Supervising Worker or the Service’s manager must be notified, who may consult the young person’s social worker.  If there is an immediate urgent risk e.g. that the young person or another person may be injured or that a serious crime may be committed, you should take what action is necessary to protect yourself, the young person or others e.g.:

• If there is a risk of serious harm, injury or of a serious criminal offence and you are unable to manage safely, the police should be notified;
• If solvents are involved, air should be allowed to circulate freely and naked lights should be extinguished;
• If the young person is unconscious, in a fit or convulsing or otherwise seriously ill, emergency first aid should be given and an ambulance requested. The emergency services should be informed that there are suspicions of drug or solvent misuse;
• The drugs/substances should be removed or confiscated, preferably with the co-operation of the young person.

No further action, beyond making the situation safe and attempting to confiscate harmful drugs or substances, should be taken without consulting your Supervising Worker or Service manager.