Common use of Substance Misuse Clause in Contracts

Substance Misuse. The misuse of controlled drugs within a young persons’ home, or placement is a serious issue and it is essential the response is prompt and effective. Carers will need to balance their duty of care for the young people in the home, and their role in managing young people’s behaviour, as well as their responsibilities to the wider community. In practice Carers should share information with the Police if established that a young person is using illegal substances or if illegal substances are found on the premises. A referral/ consultation with relevant drugs and alcohol service for the area must always be completed. The Social Worker should always be kept informed. It is important that all action taken is recorded by carers. Drugs and drug-related materials should be stored securely in a safe or locked device. These should not be disposed of, pending any investigation and the appropriate advice sought for disposal. If the quantity of substance and/or associated paraphernalia indicates a young person may be involved in distribution this concern needs to be reported to the police immediately. The police investigation will be appropriate and proportionate to the reported incident. A record of the removal/seizure should be kept by carers and include the following:  Time and date of the removal  Name of the person removing the material  Description of the material  Circumstances of the removal  Time and date the material is placed in secure storage  Signature of the person putting the article in to the storage countersigned by a second member of staff  Time and date the material was removed by the Police  Name and signature of the Police Officer removing the material  A photo of all items seized is advisable to protect staff against any future discrepancies. To ensure controlled substances are not stored in homes any longer than necessary or transported unnecessarily by care staff, it is important every effort is made Police and care staff work together to ensure the earliest opportunity for secure disposal. Carers can dispose of alcohol and canisters (aerosols) but it is important the disposal is witnessed and a record kept, see previous list above.

Substance Misuse. The misuse of controlled drugs within a young persons’ home, or placement is a serious issue and it is essential the response is prompt and effective. Carers will need to balance their duty of care for the young people in the home, and their role in managing young people’s behaviour, as well as their responsibilities to the wider community. In practice Carers should share information with the Police if established that a young person is using illegal substances or if illegal substances are found on the premises. A referral/ consultation with relevant Lifeline Journey (drugs and alcohol service for the area service) must always be completed. The Social Worker should always be kept informed. It is important that all action taken is recorded by carers. Drugs and drug-related materials should be stored securely in a safe safe, or locked device. These should not be disposed of, pending any investigation and the appropriate advice sought for disposal. If the quantity of substance and/or associated paraphernalia indicates a young person may be involved in distribution this concern needs to be reported to the police immediately. The police investigation will be appropriate and proportionate to the reported incident. A record of the removal/seizure should be kept by carers and include the following:  Time and date of the removal  Name of the person removing the material  Description of the material  Circumstances of the removal  Time and date the material is placed in secure storage  Signature of the person putting the article in to the storage countersigned by a second member of staff  Time and date the material was removed by the Police  Name and signature of the Police Officer removing the material  A photo of all items seized is advisable to protect staff against any future discrepancies. To ensure controlled substances are not stored in homes any longer than necessary or transported unnecessarily by care staff, it is important every effort is made Police and care staff work together to ensure the earliest opportunity for secure disposal. Carers can dispose of alcohol and canisters (aerosols) but it is important the disposal is witnessed and a record kept, see previous list above.

Substance Misuse. The misuse of controlled drugs within a young persons’ home, or placement is a potentially serious issue and it is essential the response is prompt and effective. Carers will need to balance their duty of care for the young people in the home, and their role in managing young people’s behaviour, as well as their responsibilities to the wider community, when making a decision about how to respond to drug use within the home. In practice practice, Carers should share information with the Police if it is established that a young person is using illegal substances in the home, or if illegal substances are found on the premises. A referral/ consultation with relevant drugs and alcohol service for the area must always should be completedconsidered. The Social Worker should always be kept informed. It is important that all action taken is recorded by carers. Drugs and drug-related materials should be stored securely in a safe or locked device. These should not be disposed of, pending any investigation and the appropriate advice sought for disposal. If the quantity of substance and/or associated paraphernalia indicates a young person may be involved in distribution distribution, this concern needs to be reported to the police immediately. The police investigation will be appropriate and proportionate to the reported incident. A record of the removal/seizure should be kept by carers and include the following:  • Time and date of the removal  • Name of the person removing the material  • Description of the material  • Circumstances of the removal  • Time and date the material is placed in secure storage  • Signature of the person putting the article in to the storage countersigned by a second member of staff  • Time and date the material was removed by the Police  • Name and signature of the Police Officer removing the material  • A photo of all items seized is advisable to protect staff against any future discrepancies. To ensure controlled substances are not stored in homes any longer than necessary or transported unnecessarily by care staff, it is important every effort is made for Police and care staff to work together to ensure the earliest opportunity for secure disposal. Carers can dispose of alcohol and canisters (aerosols) but it is important the disposal is witnessed and a record kept, see previous list above.