DRUG, ALCOHOL AND SMOKING POLICY
Nelmes Pre-School prohibits the use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs on our premises at any time. If staff, students, volunteers or children are found to have broken the rules in respect of this policy, it will be treated as a disciplinary matter.
All staff will be made aware of the provisions of this policy during their induction, including the importance of them setting a positive example to children. All children will be made aware of the rules during their settling in period. Any contravention of the provisions of this policy will be dealt with under the Nursery’s staff disciplinary procedures within the provisions of the Staffing and Behaviour Management Policies.
Drugs
Staff, students or volunteers who arrive at the Pre-School and are suspected to be under the influence of drugs and considered unfit to work, will be asked to leave immediately and disciplinary procedures implemented.
If staff are found in possession of illegal drugs, serious disciplinary action will follow.
In cases where staff are taking prescribed drugs that may affect their ability to function effectively at work, the Manager/Deputy Manager must be informed as early as possible.
If a member of staff has good reason to suspect that a parent/carer is under the influence of illegal drugs when they drop off or collect their child, they have a duty to inform both the Manager and the Nursery’s designated Child Protection Officer, according to the provisions of the Safeguarding Children policy.
In such circumstances, the Manager and the Nursery’s Child Protection Officer will then be responsible for deciding upon the appropriate course of action, ensuring that the safety and protection of the child remains paramount at all times.
Staff will make all possible efforts to ensure that children are not allowed to travel in a vehicle driven by someone who is clearly under the influence of illegal drugs.
Where an illegal act is suspected to have taken place, the police will be called.
Alcohol
Staff, students or volunteers who arrive at the Nursery clearly under the influence of alcohol, will be asked to leave immediately and disciplinary procedures will follow.
If a member of staff has good reason to suspect that a parent/carer is under the influence of alcohol when they drop off or collect their child, to the extent that the safety of the child is threatened, they have a duty to inform both the Manager and the Nursery’s designated Child Protection Officer, according to the provisions of the Safeguarding Children policy.
The Manager and the Pre-School’s Child Protection Officer will then be responsible for deciding upon the appropriate course of action, ensuring that the safety and protection of the child remains paramount at all times.
Staff will make all possible efforts to ensure that children are not allowed to travel in a vehicle driven by someone who is clearly under the influence of alcohol.
Where an illegal act is suspected to have taken place, the police will be called.
Ofsted may be informed.
Smoking
Children’s health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance for the children in our care. Smoking has proved to be a health risk and therefore in accordance with current legislation, the Pre-School operates a strict no smoking policy within its buildings and grounds.
Since July 2007, it is illegal to smoke in enclosed places. Parents are respectfully required to abstain from smoking whilst on the premises, both inside the building and within the grounds. This rule also applies to staff, students, carers and visitors etc.
Staff accompanying children outside the Pre-School are not permitted to smoke e.g. whilst on outings.
We respect that it is a personal choice to smoke, although as an organisation we support healthy lifestyles.
Sources of Further Information
Local NHS Stop Smoking Services – to find your local service, call the NHS Smoking Helpline free on 0800 169 0169; text ‘Give up’ and your full postcode to 88088 or ask at your local GP practice, pharmacy or hospital.
NHS Smoking Helpline – individuals can speak to a specialist adviser by calling 0800 169 0169 (lines are open daily from 7am to 11pm). http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/ – an online resource for all the advice, information and support needed to stop and stay stopped.
Together – this support programme is free to join, and is designed to help individuals stop smoking using both medical research as well as insights from ex-smokers. You can choose to receive e:mails; text messages; mailing packs and phone calls. Call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0169 or visit http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/. http://www.givingupsmoking.co.uk/ – provides useful advice on how to give up and provides regular supportive e:mails.
There are a number of websites which provides help to people who want to stop smoking:-
http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/
http://www.nicorettesmokefree.co.uk/
