Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

Foster carers should ensure that young people are educated about alcohol. 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 inappropriate use of drugs. It is good to talk about this subject so that you can give out the right messages and information.

Changing the way that people behave with alcohol and drugs is partly dependent on persuasion so 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.

Children should never be given alcohol by foster carers. However, there might be special or festive occasions when Foster Carers should think about whether this should be mentioned to the child’s social worker in advance and what the child's parents might think about this. They might for example have a religious or cultural reason that should be considered or alcohol might have been a negative feature of their home life. Any decision to give a child alcohol must be agreed with parents and Foster Carers and be clear in the child's care plan.

Foster carers do not need to know everything about drugs and substances to respond appropriately and competently to young people that they are caring for.

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 (Amanita), Petrol, Solvents and Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Cannabis, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Nitrous Oxide (NOS) Hashish and Heroin. This can also include alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco.

It also includes psychoactive substances 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 also:

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

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 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 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 young people on these issues. Access to these services should be done in conjunction with the child's social worker. You could be held responsible for any illegal drugs that are kept in your home so having clear boundaries about drug use is important.

Young people 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.

Training is also provided by the fostering service; speak to your Supervising Social Worker. You can also access advice and guidance from the Drug and Alcohol Support Service (DASS). Speak to your supervising social worker as there are DASS champions within Children, Families and Education Service.

See also Young People and Vaping (NHS).

Not all young people will smoke and some may have a period of just trying it but they can quite quickly become hooked on cigarettes. This guidance applies to the use of tobacco as well as e-cigarettes.

Some children/young people placed with you may already have a smoking habit. You should support and encourage young people to reduce or stop smoking. You can get support from the Children Looked After's Nurse or the young person's GP.

Remember:

• It is against the law for retailers to sell cigarettes/cigarette papers, tobacco, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or e-liquids to someone under 18;
• Rules about when, where and by who is allowed to smoke should be clear;
• To be a positive role model to children/young people;
• To raise awareness of the effects of smoking and tobacco use and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

County Fostering Foster Carer's Policy around Smoking and Vaping

It is important that foster carers understand and are made aware of the detrimental effect of smoking and passive smoking on their health and that of other people in their household.

During the recruitment, assessment and preparation process, discussions will take place with applicants regarding our expectations and requirements.

County Fostering will make every effort to support and encourage Foster Carers who wish to give up smoking.

County Fostering is clear that any Foster Carer who smokes or lives in a household where people smoke cannot be approved to take a child under the age of five. In addition, any child with known middle ear or respiratory tract infections, or who is prone to asthma and bronchitis, may not be placed in a smoking household, although exceptions may be made where it is in the child's best interests.

The issue will be raised regularly with all approved Foster Carers who smoke and reinforced through regular supervision. Support is crucial, particularly as smoking can be a response to stress, and consideration needs to be given to ways of minimising the level of stress experienced.

The Supervising Social Worker will agree a smoke-free, vape free plan with the Foster Carers to include the following:

• Foster Carers and other members of the household, including visitors, will not smoke or vape in the company of children of any age, in the home or in the car and will promote non-smoking/vaping as the norm;
• Smoking or vaping will take place outside the home;
• Tobacco products, matches, vapes  or lighters will not be left lying around or accessible to children.