Drug related incidents

Purpose

To ensure that incidents relating to students being found in possession and/or using drugs (as defined by the Misuse of Drugs Act) and/or equipment for using drugs are managed in accordance with the current College policy on the management of drug-related incidents.
Hartpury College acknowledges that statistics available indicate the likelihood of students encountering drugs. It is considered important that a clear policy on advice, incident management and disciplinary processes is made available to staff, students and parents by Hartpury College. The College is aware of the need to balance the interests and reputation of the College, the need to care and protect students and the need to help those who misuse drugs.
This policy indicates the manner by which the College and its staff will handle any problem which relates to a student being found in possession of, or using, drugs or equipment for using drugs for a non-medical reason (as defined by the Misuse of Drugs Act).
Information brought to the attention of staff in relation to a student’s use of drugs outside College premises will be noted, although it may be deemed inappropriate to act upon such information.
Sources of advice for those who are involved in drug abuse will be provided by the College in a supportive and non-judgmental manner.
In particular, care will be taken to ensure that, as far as is reasonably possible, all information being acted upon is accurate and verifiable and that the student(s) involved are made aware of all allegations being made against them

Scope

All drug or substance-related incidents on College premises, in College vehicles or during College-managed activities on or off site.
All enrolled students.

Responsibilities

The Director of HR & Residential Services (or a nominated Senior Manager) is responsible for the operation and management of this procedure and for reporting the incident to the Principal.
All College staff who are asked for advice, or who become involved in the management of a drugs-related incident, are responsible for reporting the incident to the Director of HR & Residential Services as soon as it is practicable to do so.
The Director of HR & Residential Services or his/her nominee will investigate the incident and, if convinced of the validity of the case, will suspend the student(s) involved in accordance with the College Non-Academic Student Disciplinary Procedure.
The Safeguarding & Well-Being Manager is responsible in liaison with the Head of Student Support & Well-Being for ensuring that College staff who, by the nature of their work at the College (e.g. staff and student wardens), require staff development and training in drug awareness receive such training.
All staff must be aware that College Regulation 5.1 in the Joining Instructions states that the possession and/or use of illegal drugs and similar substances is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate suspension and possible dismissal.
The College has an obligation under the Child Care Act to report any drug related incidents to the Police.

Method

All staff who are asked for advice or who become involved in the management of an incident related to the misuse of drugs will exercise discretion and sensitivity when dealing with the incident, particularly when informing legal guardian(s) or other third parties.
All action with regard to reported incidents will go to the Director of HR & Residential Services or, in his/her absence, a member of the Executive who will report the incident to the Principal.
The student(s) concerned will be interviewed by the Safeguarding & Well-Being Manager or, in his/her absence, a member of the Executive/or a Head of Department in the presence of another member of staff to determine the accuracy of information relating to the alleged incident of drug misuse. The student will be entitled to be accompanied by a friend if he or she is suspected of being in breach of College Policy.
If the Safeguarding & Well-Being Manager is convinced of the validity of the incident, the student(s) will be referred to the Director of HR & Residential Services who will suspend the student(s) if he/she believes there is a case to answer and whilst any further investigations are made. Legal guardian(s) and/or the police will be informed as appropriate. The student(s) will then be informed of when they are to attend a disciplinary meeting with a panel Chaired by a Vice Principal and including senior members of staff. The outcome of this meeting will decide if further action is taken.
The incident is then managed as in the non-academic Student Disciplinary procedure.
Any materials or equipment confiscated during the course of the incident or the following investigation will be retained, if required, by the College and stored in an approved secure manner, prior to being handed over to the Police.
If the student(s) are suspended by the Director of HR & Residential Services, the process then continues in accordance with the College Non-Academic Student Disciplinary Procedure.
It is normal practice for the College to insist that the suspended student(s) are prohibited from entering any premises or property belonging to the College for the duration of the suspension and for the student(s) to leave the College premises whether they are resident or non-resident immediately after they have been suspended.
College staff will accompany the student off the premises and, in circumstances where the student requires transport and does not have easy access to the same, the College will at its discretion take the student to a suitable venue or to their home.
Students under the age of 18 must be discharged into the care of a suitable adult.
The Director of HR & Residential Services will prepare and collate a full set of written reports relating to the incident for the Disciplinary panel. A full set of these reports is retained by the Director of HR & Residential Services. Only copies of letters to the student and/or his or her parents are held on the student’s central file
The Director of HR & Residential Services will notify the Head of Student Support & Well-Being Manager, and the student’s Subject Leader, Personal Tutor, Head of Department and appropriate member of the Executive of the suspension.