Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking
Standards and Regulations
Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care
- Standard 2 - Understand your role as a foster carer.
- Standard 3 - Understand health and safety and healthcare.
- Standard 5 - Understand the development of children and young people.
Related guidance
Any concerns that a child in your care may be misusing drugs or alcohol should be shared with the child/young person's Social Worker or your Supervising Social Worker. The more that young people know, the more likely they are to make good decisions about how to deal with smoking, drinking and drugs. It is good to have planned conversations and talk about this subject so that you can give out the right messages and information. Looking at information together on the internet can start conversations with resources like the Talk to Frank website.
Young people can sometimes be put under pressure by others to experiment so it is really important that channels of communication are kept open so they can share their concerns. As adults we are role models for all young people, our behaviour is key, for example in ensuring that they gain the right perception of responsible drinking. Therefore as their carer you should try and make sure you are aware of the key messages the following sections give an overview but if you have any further queries please contact your Supervising Social Worker.
- If they are not conscious or slipping in and out of consciousness place them in the recovery position and call 999. Ensure you have as much information as possible about what they have drunk and anything else they may have taken, pass on any medical history and medication they may be on;
- If they are under the influence:
- Encourage the young person to explain what they have drunk. It may be appropriate to ask other young people with them;
- Avoid confrontation, speak calmly and reassure the young person. The interest at this time is their immediate well-being, not their behaviour;
- If possible separate them from other young people and take to calm, quiet place;
- Do not leave them alone and do not leave them under the supervision of another young person;
- Do not attempt to ‘sober them up’. Once alcohol is in your system only time will sober you up – on average it takes an hour per unit consumed, from half an hour after the last drink. Drinking coffee, moving them about, putting them in the shower, eating etc will not work and can be dangerous. Sips of water can be given.
- Assess the situation; if it is serious you may need to involve your Supervising Social Worker or Out Of Hours Team;
- Once the incident is under control consider (with your Supervising Social Worker or the young person's Social Worker) who else needs to be informed. It is also important to consider the needs of other young people who may have witnessed the incident;
- Record the incident clearly in the children/young person's Log Book along with any decisions taken.
The young person should be spoken to regarding the incident at an appropriate time when they are sober. This should be done sensitively with the emphasis on supporting the young person, use it as an opportunity to discuss alcohol and its effects, explain why you are concerned and the associated risks of being drunk for example making ill-informed decisions, sexual activity, others taking advantage whist vulnerable as well as any possible conflict between taking prescribed medication and drinking alcohol. Ask if they have taken any risks and consider what actions need to be taken as a result (for example unprotected sex) you will need to inform the child’s Social Worker and your Supervising Social Worker immediately to determine what action is required.
Alcohol consumption in the UK is governed by strict laws.
It is against the law:
- To sell alcohol to someone under 18 anywhere;
- For an adult to buy or attempt to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18. (retailers can reserve the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to an adult if they’re accompanied by a child and think the alcohol is being bought for the child);
- For someone under 18 to buy alcohol, attempt to buy alcohol or to be sold alcohol;
- For someone under 18 to drink alcohol in licensed premises, except where the child is 16 or 17 years old and accompanied by an adult. In this case it is legal for them to drink, but not buy, beer, wine and cider with a table meal'
- For an adult to buy alcohol for someone under 18 for consumption on licensed premises, except as above'
- To give children alcohol if they are under five.
It is not illegal:
- For someone over 18 to buy a child over 16 beer, wine or cider if they are eating a table meal together in licensed premises;
- For a child aged 5 to 16 to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises.
You do not need to know everything about drugs and substances to respond appropriately and competently to young people that they are caring for.
A 2018 national survey of young people completed by the NHS showed that 24% of pupils reported they had ever taken drugs, the same as in 2016. The likelihood of having ever taken drugs increased with age from 9% of 11 year olds to 38% of 15 year olds. 17% of pupils said they had taken drugs in the last years, compared to 18% in 2016. Cannabis was the drug that pupils were most likely to have used in the last year with 8% saying they had done so; the same as in 2016 but below the 13% reported in 2001.
All young people can be tempted to experiment with drugs, no matter where they come from or their background. Some children and young people will be in foster 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 child, such as:
Aerosols, Gas, Glue, Magic Mushrooms, Petrol, Solvents and Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Cannabis, Cocaine / Crack, Ecstasy, Hallucinogens, and Heroin. This can also include Alcohol, Cigarettes and Tobacco.
It also includes psychoactive substances (such as spice) 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.
See also: Frank regarding drugs and the law.
You could be held responsible for any illegal drugs that are kept in your home so having clear boundaries about drug use is important.
It is often difficult to tell if a young person is using drugs, particularly when a child/ 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 –possible want 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 can be 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 child's Social Worker or your Supervising Social Worker if you are concerned.
Young people often have access to a range of domestic products that are harmful and potentially fatal to them when inhaled. You as carers need to be vigilant with young people around aerosol products, nail varnish, corrective fluid, glues etc.
There is information available on the internet, the Talk to Frank website is a good resource, the young people you care for will likely have a level of awareness about drugs, this maybe a good way to start talking about it with them by asking them what something is and then finding out more together.
If your young person is unwell due to substance use or suspected substance use we advise you to seek medical help immediately.
The Specialist Young Persons Substance Misuse Service is a useful contact point, talk to your Supervising Social Worker about this.
Most young people don’t smoke. However, some may just try smoking and a small number smoke regularly. Children and young people who experiment with cigarettes can quickly become addicted to the nicotine in tobacco and may show signs of addiction (i.e. cravings and withdrawal symptoms if they are unable to smoke) within four weeks of starting, even if they don’t smoke every day.
In Rotherham, the latest Young People’s Lifestyle Survey shows that fewer than one in ten young people smoke regularly, although rates increase with age. Smoking is an addiction of childhood, with more than 80% of adults who smoke having started before the age of 18.
Children and young people who live with smokers are up to three times more likely to start smoking themselves. It is therefore essential that you consider your own smoking behaviour and that of others in your household, as well as taking action if any young person who is placed with you is already a smoker.
You should aim to promote a healthy lifestyle to children in your care.
Some children/young people placed with you may already have a smoking/vaping habit. You should support and encourage young people to reduce or stop smoking. You can get support from the Looked After Children's Nurse, Get Healthy Rotherham or the young person's GP, including where a young person indicates that they would like to try e-cigarettes as a way of giving up smoking.
You should remember:
- It is against the law for young people under the age of 18 to buy cigarettes/cigarette papers or tobacco; Young people may buy their cigarettes from ‘fag houses’ (where people sell cheap, often illicit single cigarettes). If you know of shops or individuals selling cigarettes or tobacco to young people you should report it to Trading Standards on 01709 823161 or 01709 823164;
- Rules about when, where and who is allowed to smoke/vape should be clear;
- To raise awareness of the effects of smoking/vaping and tobacco use and how to live a healthy lifestyle;
- Never buy cigarettes for children/young people in your care, and cigarettes must never be used as a reward for good behaviour.
You should aim to live a healthy lifestyle and promote a healthy lifestyle to children in your care. If you smoke, you will not be allowed to foster children under 5 years of age. A smoker can foster children older than 5, but you should maintain a completely smokefree home and car at all times; this means friends or family who smoke should also never smoke in your home or car.
Your role is to:
- To be a positive role model to children/young people;
- Consider your own health, the health of your family and of your fostered children. If you are offered stop smoking/vaping support, you have a duty to consider taking up the service;
- Be mindful that your behaviour provides a role model for the children in your care and consider the effect of smoking on children. Children and young people who live with smokers are up to three times as likely to start smoking themselves;
- Take full responsibility for putting in place any changes in your household that reduce the risks of poisoning, burns and household fires caused by smoking;
- Put in place household rules about smoking/vaping, making these clear to young people (appropriate age) placed with you and any family and friends who visit;
- Not allow smoking anywhere in your home. Smoke from one cigarette can linger in a room for 2.5 hours, even with the window open, especially on soft furnishings and carpets. Levels of second-hand smoke in cares are even higher due to the restricted area in which the smoke circulates;
- It is illegal to smoke in your care 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 on smoking in vehicles 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 fostering service views this in the same way as smoking and would recommend you do not do this with children present;
- Ensure your fire extinguisher and fire blanket are stored correctly;
- Ensure you have a working smoke detector to reduce the risk of fire;
- Request a visit from the Fire Service via your Supervising Social Worker to undertake a fire safety check.
Your Supervising Social Worker should provide:
- Information on the effects of passive smoking in children;
- Information on the effects of smoking on adult health;
- Regular training and information.
They should also:
- Resource nicotine replacement therapy for you, if necessary;
- Discuss smoking risks as part of your review;
- Consider the smoking habits of other family members and friends who visit regularly, e.g. grandparents or older children who no longer live at your home.
Electronic or E cigarettes are products which mimic smoking and deliver nicotine to the user without burning tobacco. Their use in the UK is increasing, but at present there is not enough evidence to know if they are safe to use long term. There is no regulation of the e cigarette market so you may not know what chemicals different products contain and there is no restriction on age of sale. There are, however, plans to licence them in the next couple of years. There are also concerns that using e cigarettes ‘normalises’ smoking again as they look like cigarettes but are not covered by the smokefree laws, so can be used in public places.
Due to the uncertainty of potential harms from e-cigarettes we do not currently recommend their use by foster carers.
If you have successfully given up smoking you will not be allowed to adopt or foster high-risk groups (children under five, children with a disability, chest problems, heart disease or glue ear) until you have stopped smoking successfully for a minimum period of 12 months. After 10 years of not smoking an applicant is classed as a non-smoker for insurance purposes.
You can get support to stop smoking from Get Healthy Rotherham your GP or Pharmacy.
Get Healthy Rotherham - Stopping Smoking
Get Healthy Rotherham - Stopping Smoking
Rotherham Trading Standards (to report anybody selling cigarettes or tobacco to young people)
Call 01709 823161 or 01709 823164.
Last Updated: August 27, 2024
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