Alcohol, Drugs and Solvents

The agency will ensure that carers and children have access to up to date information, guidance and advice on the risks and strategies that may be adopted in relation to smoking (including e-cigarettes), alcohol or other harmful drugs and substance misuse.

If children are known to be at risk of smoking or misusing alcohol or other non prescribed drugs, it must be addressed in their placement plan with strategies for cessation or reduction.

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, carers must notify the agency, who will consult the child's social worker to decide what actions to take.

Children and Young People

Under no circumstances may children consume alcohol without the approval, in writing, of the child's social worker - and then only on special occasions, such as Christmas lunch.

Where it becomes evident, or carers suspect, that a child or young person has indulged in alcohol, a range of responses are relevant given variations in the severity and extent of the abuse. These options are outlined below:

• Offering fluids - water, squash;
• Periodic monitoring and checks - 10 minutes, 30 minutes, hourly, etc.
• Contacting health professionals for advice e.g. G.P or NHS 111;
• Attending Accident and Emergency department or if necessary calling the emergencies services for an ambulance.

Carers should never ignore a child or young person who appears drunk or under the influence of any substance.

Carers

Foster carers and their visitors should be careful when consuming alcohol in the presence of children. The amount consumed should be reasonable. Foster carers should be mindful of the placement plan and foster children's previous experiences of adult behaviours relating to alcohol and drugs.

Alcohol may be consumed but the carer should always be in a position to respond to emergencies, which may mean that one carer should abstain.

As a guide, carers should be mindful of the consequences of drinking prior to looking after a child or young person. General performance and the ability to drive can be affected the day after drinking. Similarly, the after-effects of drinking could be shaking, excessive thirst, indigestion, headache, sickness etc. This may be apparent to children or young people and have serious effects on the foster carers' ability to perform their duties in a professional manner.

Foster carers should ensure that all alcohol is stored safely out of reach of children in line with their health and safety assessment guidelines.

Alcohol, young people and the law

See: GOV.UK website.

There is an ever increasing range of substances or drugs available that Children and Young People, ingest, snort, inject or absorb with a view to changing their mood or senses for a different experience. Many of these substances are known to be harmful and for many New Psychoactive Substances, the risks are not known and therefore those taking them do so at high risk. To get up to date information on the range of substances available go to Frank - Drugs A-Z.

New psychoactive substances which can cause a very similar range of problems to the drugs which they mimic, including a risk of dependence developing with repeated use. Some appear to be more dangerous even than the traditional drugs they mimic.

See: Frank - New Psychoactive Substances and Frank - Drugs A-Z.

Some possible indications of drug and substance misuse 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.

Nitrous Oxide

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).

It is important not to jump to the wrong conclusion, but carers should speak to the child's social worker or their supervising social worker if they are concerned.

Working together the placement plan and risk assessment should be revised to ensure these risk are appropriately managed.  Further specialist training is available to foster carers on drug and alcohol misuse and there are people who specialise in working with young people on these issues. Access to these services should be done in conjunction with the child's social worker. Carers should be mindful that they could be held responsible for any illegal drugs that are kept in their 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. Foster carers should be vigilant with children/young people around aerosol products, nail varnish, corrective fluid, glues etc.

If it suspected that a child is using drugs or substances and no strategy exists to reduce harm or prevent the behaviour, the supervising social worker or the fostering manager must be notified, who must consult the child's social worker.  If there is an immediate urgent risk e.g. that the child or another person may be injured or that a serious crime may be committed, the carers should take what action is necessary to protect, the child, themselves or others e.g.

• If there is a risk of serious harm, injury or of a serious criminal offence and carers 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 any 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.

No further action, beyond making the situation safe should be taken without consulting the supervising social worker or fostering manager.