Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

The team around the child, including foster carers should ensure that children are educated about alcohol. Research in 2017 and 2020 showed that the more that young people can have conversations with trusted adults, the more likely they are to make good decisions about how to deal with smoking, drinking and the inappropriate use of drugs.  You should ensure there are regular opportunities to talk, enabling you to convey the right messages and correct information.

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. Drinkaware have some helpful advice on how to talk to children about alcohol.

Drinking alcohol before the age of 18 is related to a wide range of health and social problems, so the UK Chief Medical Officers recommend an alcohol-free childhood as the healthiest and best option.

Children should never be given alcohol by foster carers and foster carers should be particularly attuned to whether alcohol has been a negative feature of their home life. In very exceptional circumstances there might be special or festive occasions when older children may be offered a small glass of alcohol. This should be discussed with the child’s social worker in advance and the child's parents if appropriate. There might be a religious or cultural reason that should be considered. Any decision to give a child alcohol must be agreed with parent and carers and be clear in the child's care plan. No child under 15 should be given alcohol in any circumstances. The NHS has useful information about the law, and health risks of alcohol for children.

Foster carers will never know everything about drugs and substance misuse, however, they do need to respond appropriately and competently to young people that they are caring for. There are various training opportunities available to help inform foster carers, please speak to your SSW to discuss. The Frank website gives up to date information for carers and children.

All children can be tempted to experiment with drugs, no matter where they come from or their background. Some children 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 (Amanita), Petrol, Solvents and Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Cannabis, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Nitrous Oxide (NOS) Hashish and Heroin. This can also include alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, vapes and edibles containing substances.

It also includes psychoactive substances (formerly called ‘legal highs’ which can cause changes to a child’s sensation, perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and behaviour.

Misuse of prescribed medication can also fall into this category.

See also:

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

It is often difficult to tell if a child is using drugs, particularly when a child uses them recreationally. 

Some possible indications of drug abuse are:

• Sudden changes of mood;
• Irritability or mood swings;
• Loss of appetite;
• Increased appetite;
• Drowsiness or sleepiness or poor sleep patterns;
• Being secretive or evasive about where they are going and what they are doing;
• Unexplained loss of money or belongings;
• Unusual smells, stains or marks on the body, clothes or around the house;
• Decline in hygiene or appearance;
• Uncharacteristic loss of interest in school, hobbies, friends;
• Unusual equipment found such as foil, torn cigarette packets.

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 open ended 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. 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 child’s social worker.

If it suspected that a child is misusing controlled or harmful drugs or substances and no strategy exists to reduce or prevent the behaviour, an agreement should be reached with the child’s social worker on how to proceed; which will include whether and when the police will be notified.  The child should be part of this agreement. 

You could be held responsible for any illegal drugs that are kept in your home so you need to advise a child that you will hand over any drugs found to the police. The agreement should also outline any circumstances under which foster carers may search a child’s bedroom. 

Children 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. You should ensure all prescribed medication is stored securely.

Training is also provided by the Fostering Service; speak to your Supervising Social Worker.

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

Some children placed with you may already smoke/vaping. You should support and encourage children to reduce or stop smoking/vaping. You can get support from the Looked After Children’s Nurse 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.

Remember:

• It is against the law for retailers to sell cigarettes/cigarette papers, tobacco, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes) or e-liquids to someone under 18;
• Rules about when, where and by who is allowed to smoke/vape should be clear (and agreed in writing with the team around the child);
• To be a positive role model to children (smoke outside, and not ever in the presence of children);
• To raise awareness of the effects of smoking/vaping and tobacco use and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Your role is to:

• Consider your own health, your family and fostered children. You should seek to give up smoking and if you are offered smoking cessation support, you should consider taking up the service;
• Be mindful that your smoking/vaping contributes to a negative health role model for children in your care;
• Never buy cigarettes or materials used for smoking or vaping for children in your care. Ensure an identified plan from the service is in place, in regard to the purchasing and supply of tobacco products and/ or e-cigarettes (vapes) if a child comes to live with you and has a pre--established habit;
• Cigarettes must never be used as a reward for good behaviour;
• Put in place household rules about smoking/vaping, making these clear to children placed with you;
• It is illegal to smoke in your car when carrying someone who is under 18 (see UK, Smoking in vehicles). This applies even when people have the windows down or the sunroof open or are sitting in the open doorway of a car.

This does not apply to e-cigarettes (vaping). However, as the effects of e-cigarettes are unknown, the Fostering Service views this in the same way as smoking and would ask that you do not do this with children present.

If it suspected that a child is misusing prescription or illegal drugs or substances and no strategy exists to reduce or prevent the behaviour, your Supervising Social Worker or the fostering manager must be notified, they will consult the child's social worker. 

• 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 called  and the service informed immediately;
• If solvents are involved, air should be allowed to circulate freely (open the windows and doors) and naked lights should be extinguished;
• If the child is unconscious, in a fit, or convulsing, or otherwise seriously ill, emergency first aid, within your trained capabilities, should be given and an ambulance requested immediately. Emergency responders will talk you through what to do.  The emergency services should be informed that there are suspicions of drug or solvent misuse;
• The drugs/substances should be removed for safe keeping, or confiscated, preferably with the co-operation of the child(ren). Inform the service immediately for further advice.

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