From Identification to Intervention: Managing Drugs in Schools
🏷️ £175
🎧 Senior boarding and pastoral staff, Heads of Boarding, safeguarding teams, school nurses
📍 Venue – TBC
Course outline:
How can schools respond confidently to changing drug trends and the challenges they present for young people?
This practical, interactive day will provide senior leaders and pastoral staff with an update on emerging drug trends and current concerns, with a particular focus on vaping, alongside ketamine, prescription drug use and spiking.
Delegates will explore how to manage suspected drug-related incidents, from the handling of suspected substances and associated paraphernalia to recording incidents and reviewing school policies. Through discussion, breakout activities and shared practice, the day will also consider how to involve parents effectively in drugs education and awareness.
A dedicated session will examine the advantages, limitations and practical considerations of drug screening, including collection procedures, laboratory processes, costs, staff training and ethical considerations. A practical display of drugs and associated paraphernalia will help staff build familiarity with the substances and equipment they may encounter.
Designed for senior staff, Heads of Boarding, safeguarding teams, school nurses and other key pastoral colleagues, this event will support a more informed and consistent approach to drug-related concerns in school.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the day, delegates will be able to:
- Recognise emerging drug trends and current concerns affecting young people, including vaping, ketamine, prescription drug use and spiking.
- Identify key steps in managing suspected drug-related incidents, including the seizure, recovery, storage and disposal of suspected substances and associated paraphernalia.
- Review incident-recording practices to support clear and consistent documentation.
- Assess school drug policies and identify areas for improvement.
- Identify practical ways to engage parents in drugs education and awareness.
- Evaluate the advantages and limitations of drug screening, including its practical, financial, training, ethical and policy implications.
This event will be held jointly with:
Programme
09:30–09:45 | Welcome and introduction
An overview of the day, its key themes and learning objectives.
09:45–10:45 | Emerging drug trends and current concerns
An update on current issues affecting schools and young people, including:
- Vaping
- Ketamine
- The rise in prescription drug use among young adults
- Spiking
10:45–11:00 | Refreshment break
11:00–12:30 | Managing drug-related incidents in schools
Practical guidance covering:
- Managing and controlling suspected drug-related incidents
- The seizure, recovery, storage and disposal of suspected substances and associated paraphernalia
- Recording incidents appropriately
- Key considerations for school drug policies
12:30–13:15 | Lunch
13:15–14:30 | Policies, practice and parental engagement
An interactive session exploring:
- Reviewing school drug policies to ensure they remain fit for purpose
- How schools currently manage and record drug-related incidents
- Practical breakout discussions and shared best practice
- Involving parents effectively in drugs education and awareness
14:30–15:15 | Drug screening: process, practice and considerations
An exploration of the advantages and limitations of drug screening, including:
- Collection procedures
- Laboratory processes
- Associated costs
- Staff training
- Practical, ethical and policy considerations
15:15–15:30 | Questions, practical display and close
An opportunity for delegate questions and to explore the practical drugs and associated paraphernalia display, helping staff become more familiar with current substances and equipment.
Speaker:
Dave Parvin
A former Drug Squad Officer- Dave has seen the damage and destruction first hand that ‘drugs’ can bring to those who choose to have a life that involves the use of these substances and as such is passionate about raising the awareness of the ‘potential risks and dangers’ associated with this life style. Since leaving the police Dave over the last 17 years has delivered hundreds of Drug Awareness Sessions to Schools and Colleges all over the country engaging with all parties (Students/Staff and Parental Sessions) to ensure his key message about raising the awareness of the real risks and dangers associated with many substances young people in particular are likely to come into contact with. He does not preach and delivers his presentations in a ‘non judgemental manner’ in his own ‘unique style’, ensuring that his audiences engage with him from the very minute he starts to speak. He also has strong links with NAMSS (National Association for Managers of Student Services), the BSA (Boarding School Association) and Hieda (Health in Education) delivering bespoke Drug Awareness Training events for their staff (including work overseas with international schools).
