Drugs & Alcohol Policy

Last updated October 2025.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe, healthy, and substance-free learning environment for all students, staff, tutors, and associated persons. As an education provider, we have a duty of care to protect the wellbeing and learning outcomes of every young person. This policy sets out the organisation’s stance on drugs, alcohol, and other substances, outlining expectations, procedures, and support pathways for everyone involved in our provision.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff, tutors, students and associated persons, as well as all physical spaces and online environments.

This policy applies to all Study Mind services, including:

1-1 tutoring
Group tuition
Live events
Work Experience

Policy Statement

Study mind operates a strict zero-tolerance policy towards:

The use, possession, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or alcohol on any premises or during any tutoring activity.
Attending work or sessions under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any intoxicating substance.

However, we also recognise that substance misuse may be a symptom of wider wellbeing or safeguarding concerns, particularly within alternative provision settings. Therefore, our approach balances firm boundaries with supportive intervention and appropriate referrals.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy:

Drugs include illegal substances, prescribed medication misused or not prescribed to the individual, solvents, “legal highs”, or any psychoactive substances.
Alcohol includes any beverage or substance containing alcohol.
Under the influence means being affected by drugs or alcohol in a way that impairs judgment, behaviour, or performance.

Expectations

For students:

Must not attend sessions or participate in activities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Must not bring, use, or distribute drugs, alcohol, or related paraphernalia on premises or during learning activities.
Any concerns or suspicions of substance misuse will be handled in line with the organisation’s Safeguarding Policy.

For staff and tutors:

Must arrive for work fit, sober, and capable of carrying out their duties safely and effectively.
Must not use or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during working hours or while representing the organisation.
Must report any incidents, suspicions, or concerns involving drug or alcohol misuse immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Must not condone, ignore, or attempt to manage serious incidents informally.

For visitors and associated persons:

Must comply with this policy while attending related activities.

Prescription or Over-the-Counter Medication

Staff, tutors or students who require prescribed or over-the-counter medication must use it responsibly and as directed.
Medication that could impair performance or alertness must be disclosed (in confidence) to a tutor, line manager, or safeguarding lead.
The organisation will handle such information sensitively and confidentially, in accordance with data protection laws.

Identifying and Responding to Concerns

All staff are responsible for recognising and reporting concerns about substance misuse.
Signs may include:

Changes in behaviour, attendance, or performance.
Physical signs such as drowsiness, slurred speech, or erratic conduct.
Possession of drug-related items or strong odours of alcohol.

If concerns arise:

The tutor or staff member should report immediately to the DSL or senior manager.
A member of staff will remain with the student until appropriate care has been sought, whether this is parent, guardian or medical services.
The DSL will assess the situation and, where necessary, inform the referring authority, school, or parents/carers.
In serious or unsafe cases (e.g., possession of illegal substances), the police may be contacted in line with safeguarding and legal requirements.
Supportive interventions, including referrals to health or substance misuse services, may be referred where appropriate.

Support and information on drug and alcohol abuse can be found in the Appendix below.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Information about suspected or confirmed drug/alcohol misuse will be handled in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.
Details will only be shared on a need-to-know basis with relevant professionals (e.g. social workers, local authorities, or schools).
In all cases, the safety and welfare of the student will take priority.

Consequences of Breach – Students

Breaches of this policy may result in:

Immediate suspension of the session.
Parental/carer notification and referral to the local authority.
If the student is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, the police may also be notified.

Consequences of Breach – Teachers

Breaches of this policy may result in:

Immediate removal from a session or premises.
Notification sent to the local authority/LADO
Notification sent to the DBS
Disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the tutoring programme.
Termination of employment or contract for staff or contractors, depending on the severity of the incident.

For more information on the process of investigation of staff under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, please refer to the Concerns and Complaints Policy and the Managing Allegations Against Staff Policy.

In all cases, decisions will be guided by safeguarding policy, legal obligations, and local authority expectations.