Overview

It is important for young people to make well-informed and safe choices when it comes to alcohol and drug use. Schools play a crucial part in providing education and awareness to ensure pupils’ have a clear understanding of the risks of addictive substances. While the Government’s decision to ban single-use vapes in the UK is a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done to protect young people from harmful health outcomes caused by substance abuse. By taking a whole-school approach to preventing substance misuse, schools can equip students with the skills and resilience they need to make healthy decisions.

  • In 2023, 20.5% of children had tried vaping, up from 15.8% in 2022 and 13.9% in 2020 before the first COVID lockdown (Action on Smoking and Health, June 2023)
  • There were 11,326 people under the age of 18 in contact with alcohol and drug services between April 2021 and March 2022, according to the UK Government
  • According to an NHS survey carried out in 2022, 57% of pupils who had recently smoked, drank alcohol and taken drugs, reported low levels of life satisfaction

Join us at The Tackling Substance Misuse in Schools Conference 2024 to hear the latest updates on tackling substance misuse in schools from leading experts. This event will showcase a series of best practice case studies covering a range of topics including delivering high-quality drug education and awareness classes, developing a whole-school zero-tolerance approach to substance abuse, and preventing vaping in schools. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from a variety of schools and discuss strategies to prevent drug and alcohol usage.

Why Attend:
✓ Hear national strategies and the latest guidance on tackling substance misuse in schools
✓ Learn from a series of best practice case studies covering innovative ways to prevent drug usage
✓ Gain the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across a range of schools
✓ 4 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

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Agenda

  • Online Registration

  • Chair’s Opening Remarks 

    Professor Harry Sumnall, Professor in Substance Use, Liverpool John Moores University (invited)

  • Keynote: Government Update: National Strategies to Tackle Substance Misuse in Schools

    • Sharing the latest trends in substance abuse among young people and advice on reducing usage
    • Progress update on the latest smoking targets and plans to prevent underage vaping
    • Support measures and resources available to promote substance misuse education and understanding of health risks
    • School-based prevention and early intervention techniques to produce a sustained decrease in demand for drugs

    Senior Representative, UK Government (invited)

  • Keynote: Embedding Drug and Alcohol Awareness and Safety into the Curriculum

    • Early intervention and preventative approaches to divert children and young people away from substance abuse
    • Tools and resources to ensure drug awareness classes are engaging and improve pupils’ understanding of the effects and risks of using substances
    • Creating safe spaces where students feel comfortable asking questions about illicit substances to help them make safe choices and reduce harm
    • Running workshops to equip pupils with the confidence and resilience to resist peer pressure around drug usage

    Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, Director and Founder, DSM Foundation (CONFIRMED)

  • Case Study: Developing a Whole School Substance Misuse Policy to Reduce Usage

    • Guidance on creating a wrap-around drug policy: key considerations, needs and definitions to include
    • Ideas for facilitating a positive mental health culture to reduce reliance on, and interest in, addictive substances
    • Taking proactive steps to embed a zero-tolerance culture towards drugs and substance misuse across the school
    • Implementing disciplinary pathways to reduce repeat offences and manage behavioural issues relating to substance abuse
    • Sharing best practice approaches to help staff take appropriate action when managing drug-related incidents

    Julie Coulthard, Drugs Consultant and PSHE Advisor, Bristol Healthy Schools (invited)

  • Question and Answers 

  • Comfort Break

  • Breakout Networking: Overcoming Obstacles to Tackle Substance Misuse in Schools

    This session will give you the opportunity to meet other attendees of the event. Share the main challenges you face in preventing pupils from smoking, drinking and using drugs. Learn about policies and strategies peers from across the sector have successfully implemented in their schools to reduce substance misuse.

  • Case Study: Working in Partnership to Prevent the Harmful Effects of Drugs and Alcohol in Schools

    • Advice on forming partnerships with external partners to deliver a coordinated response to substance misuse among young people
    • Implementing referral pathways to addiction services to ensure students receive timely support
    • Pooling expertise and resources to enable a public health approach to substance abuse prevention
    • Holding workshops with school policing officers to divert young people away from drug and alcohol misuse

    Faith McCready, National Coordinator for the Wales Police Schools Programme, South Wales Police (invited)

  • Case Study: Deterring Young People from Taking Up Smoking and Vaping

    • Offering assemblies and workshops to educate students about the consequences of smoking and addiction
    • Innovative ideas for monitoring and redesigning areas used for smoking to improve visibility
    • Working with the local council to identify and reprimand shops offering Under Age Sales and seize non-compliant products
    • Sharing alternative coping mechanisms to help children and young people quit smoking and vaping
    • Encouraging pupils, teachers and parents to quit smoking and vaping through face-to-face and virtual support groups

    Chris Knipe, Deputy Head, Liskeard School and Community College (invited)

  • Case Study: Providing Support for Pupils with Substance Dependency Issues

    • Enabling staff to spot the signs of substance dependency and sensitively refer pupils to relevant support services
    • Toolkits for helping young people recognise if they may be reliant on substances and encouraging them to seek help
    • Engaging with parents to ensure students facing addiction have wrap-around support at home and school
    • Guidance on identifying and safeguarding young carers who have family members with substance abuse issues

    Jenni Wright, Headteacher, Bennerley Fields School (invited)

  • Questions and Answers 

  • Chair’s Summary and Close

    *Programme subject to change

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Who Should Attend

Who Should Attend?

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

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Pricing
  • Private Sector Rate:: £425.00 +VAT+VAT
  • Public Sector Rate:: £260.00 +VAT+VAT
  • Voluntary Sector Rate:: £260.00 +VAT+VAT