Smoking and Alcohol

Staff and visitors are not permitted to smoke within the homes or vehicles belonging to Homes2inspire.

A no-smoking policy has been developed and accepted by staff and external agencies that states that smoking is prohibited on any part of the Home premises, staff members are not permitted to smoke with children and young people. Homes have individual plans that relate to challenging smoking and this includes offering support for reduction/quitting to both employees and the residents in placement.

Homes have a smoking reduction strategy and risk-assessment that can be completed as required to evidence the interventions and support being offered to children / young people to stop smoking.

Staff should ensure that young people are educated about smoking. 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 misuse of drugs / substances. Good communication ensures the right messages and information are passed on.

Some children/young people may already smoke before they are placed in their home. You should support and encourage such young people to reduce or stop smoking. Support is available from the Looked After Children's Nurse or the young person's GP. This should be discussed with the child/young person's social worker and addressed as part of the young person's Health Plan.

Staff are not permitted to purchase or give cigarettes, tobacco, or the materials for making or lighting cigarettes or tobacco to children.

Staff must be vigilant should they suspect or know that a child is using an e-cigarette / vape; key-work sessions must be completed on the safety aspects of the ‘vape’, in respect of charging and batteries. The protective processes around the child should be detailed within their Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) and discussed with their parents / social worker.

See: Rules about Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and Smoking (GOV.UK).

All homes should be alcohol free zones; alcohol should not be brought or kept on the premises and children should not normally be taken into licensed premises, unless it is part of a clear plan leading toward independence or on a special occasion; e.g. Christmas. In any case, children will not be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol.

Staff are not permitted to consume alcohol whilst on duty and should not arrive at work under the influence of alcohol.

Staff should ensure that children/young people are educated about alcohol and its effects.

If staff are concerned that a child/young person has been drinking alcohol, this should be raised with the home's manager and the child's social worker as required.

Where it becomes evident, or it is suspected, that a child or young person has been drinking alcohol, the most appropriate response will vary dependent on how much the young person has had to drink or how it has effected them. These options are outlined below:

• Offering fluids - water, squash;
• Periodic monitoring and checks by staff - 10 minutes, 30 minutes, hourly, etc.
• Contacting health professionals for advice e.g. G.P.;
• Hospitalisation for day patient or overnight stay if appropriate, etc.

See: Alcohol, Young People and the Law (GOV.UK).

Staff must contact NHS 111 for advice should a child/ young person be under the influence of any substance and request their medication. Medication should not be administered without professional health advice.

It is against the law to smoke in any of our Homes or vehicles.

Members of staff and visitors are not permitted to smoke in front of the young people; they are required to go off site and away from the young people only at appropriate times.

Guidance is given to all young people on admission on related health risks and support is offered to young people wishing to give up the habit.

We do not give young people under the age of 18 years permission to smoke.

E-cigarettes

Although they can be regarded as a healthier alternative to tobacco their status is seen as being the same as lit tobacco and therefore the same expectations are required of their use by staff, young people and visitors.

It is recognised that some young people will have nicotine related habits that are longstanding.

The legal age for the purchase of cigarettes is 18 and the young people in our care fall below this threshold.

We will take positive action with respect to reducing and preventing young people from smoking. This approach will be underpinned by:

• Staff providing support and information with respect to helping young people in smoking reduction;
• On Admission young people are informed of the Homes no smoking policy and how the Home will help and support smoking reduction;
• Risk assessments for young people who smoke and how the Home will deal with any instances of smoking in the Home or grounds; this may include additional room searches and confiscating items if deemed to be placing the home or other children at risk;
• Detailing in the health section of the young person’s Placement Care Plan the arrangements and matters concerning a young person’s health in respect of smoking; including (where applicable) support offered, incentives and key-work sessions;
• Staff taking positive action with respect to the enforcement of laws to restrict tobacco access and sales to young people;
• Staff being active in discouraging young people from smoking;
• Staff positively recognising and providing incentives for young people smoking reduction strategies;
• Staff positively recognising young people’s achievements by not smoking;
• Homes2inspire supports Department of Health guidelines on smoking;
• All homes being Non-smoking including the grounds;
• Support given to staff members to help them to stop smoking and act as a role model to young people;
• Partnership working with local GP & health agencies in support to stop smoking;
• Engaging in national initiatives to help the young people quit smoking e,g, Stoptober.