Smoking and Alcohol
Scope of this chapter
Also see: ‘Alcohol’ and ‘Smoking Policy’ on Cascade.
Relevant Regulations
Children's Homes and Quality Standards 2015: The Health and Well-being Standard
Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children 2013: Regulation 17: Health needs of children
Related guidance
Staff and visitors are not permitted to smoke in front of Young people. young people are not permitted to smoke in any of Break's premises. No young person under the age of 18 are permitted to purchase tobacco products. No young person under the age of 16 should be permitted to smoke. Staff are not permitted to purchase or give cigarettes or tobacco or the means of making a cigarette.
Staff should also 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 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 young person's GP. This should be discussed with the young person's social worker and addressed as part of the young person's Health Plan.
When it is not possible for the young person to stop smoking, a detailed plan as to how the behaviour is managed must be included within the young person's risk management plan with the aim of preventing any fire safety risk or risk of harm to others through secondary inhalation. A suitable location away from the home will be identified. The plan will be agreed with the young person within the context of a health promotion strategy with the young person constantly being supported by staff to access smoking cessation services.
Research has suggested that e-cigarette use by young people is increasing and it is not confined to young people who previously smoked. It can also lead on to cigarette smoking.
It is an offence for shops to sell e-cigarettes to under 18s or for an adult to buy e-cigarettes for them.
The long-term effects of vaping / E-cigarettes on health are unknown, but it should be regarded as potentially harmful to health in the same way as smoking.
Some children/young people may already vape before they are placed in the Home. Staff should support and encourage such young people to reduce or stop vaping. 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 vapes to children/young people.
However, if a young person indicates that they would like to try e-cigarettes as a way of giving up smoking, they should be encouraged to contact their GP or local stop smoking services.
For more information please see Electronic Cigarettes – Evidence and Advice on e-cigarettes (GOV.UK).
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 young people are educated about alcohol and its effects.
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.
Last Updated: June 11, 2024
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