This was a presentation that my colleague Claire James gave to a conference about safeguarding in school recently.
The recently reviewed guidance to school governors points out:
Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 places a duty on the governing bodies of maintained schools, and regulations under section 157, about safeguarding pupils in Independent Schools (which include academies) requires academy trusts to have arrangements in place to ensure that they:
- carry out their functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; and
- have regard to the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State in considering what arrangements they need to make for the purpose of that section.
The governors document points to older guidance which defines safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children as:
- protecting children from maltreatment;
- preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
- ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.
I think it would be difficult not to see drug prevention as part of the mix for supporting safeguarding; but it also makes me think about the needs of those pupils living with parents that are having problems with drugs and alcohol, or those children who are in care or being looked after by a family member (often because of drug and alcohol misuse) and ensuring that their needs are met.
Mentor Thinks 
East West Detox charity has been providing preventative drug/alcohol education in schools & PRU’s for some time by people in recovery which is very effective.
Hi Mike, I’m really interested in any evidence you have for effectiveness of this approach. The research I’ve seen for people in recovery telling their stories to school pupils hasn’t been very positive so if you have anything that tells a different story please do send it to me.