ADEPIS quality standards for alcohol and drug education

ADEPIS quality standards for alcohol and drug education

ADEPIS quality standards for drug education

Aims:To help schools assess their own practice, in and

outside the classroom, and make the case for appropriate levels of support and resources.

To help external providers of drug education raise their own standards and convey their aims, practice and approach to schools.

To help schools have clearer expectations of external contributors, choose those that deliver to a high standard and best meet their needs, and work more effectively with them.

“education about drugs is vital and we should make sure that education programmes are there in our schools and we should make sure that they work.”

Source: Al Jazeera, March 2011

The DfE view

“Effective education is essential in tackling drug and alcohol misuse.”

– Elizabeth Truss MP, Minister for Education and Childcare

Source: Hansard, HC Deb, 11 November 2013, c510W

Key findings from ADEPIS survey of PSHE teachers

• Drug and alcohol education provision remains inconsistent.

• Primary schools have less access to support and resources, but secondary schools also identify unmet needs.

• Assessment and evaluation, continuity in learning and quality assurance of resources and external support remain weaker areas.

• While there are examples of excellent drug and alcohol education teaching, many teachers highlighted a lack of curriculum time, constraints on finance for resources and training, and delivery by non-specialist services.

Source: Boddington , N. McWhirter , J. & Stonehouse. A , (2013) Drug and alcohol education in schools Mentor

Is alcohol and drug education statutory?

Drug education remains a statutory part of the National Curriculum as part of the science curriculum.Year 6 pupils “should learn how to keep their

bodies healthy and how their bodies might be damaged – including how some drugs and other substances can be harmful to the human body.”

In Key Stage 3 the biology curriculum includes teaching “the effects of ‘recreational’ drugs (including substance misuse) on behaviour, health and life processes.” 

Is science the right subject area for alcohol and drug education?

Alcohol and drug use is one of a

range of risks that young people

face as they grow up.

Addressing risks by topic misses

an opportunity for young people

to explore the interconnections.

A well designed curriculum will

address these issues in a wider

context, building skills and

values that will protect pupils

from harms.

Alcohol and drug education as part of a planned PSHE programme

PSHE helps young people to develop their values and skills, reflecting on their place in society and community

What do the ADEPIS standards cover?

Delivering effective alcohol and drug education in the classroom

– Standards to shape the development and delivery of alcohol and drug education.

The school context for effective drug education

– Standards to develop a protective and supportive environment, high quality drug education, backed up by clear school rules and support provision for pupils with additional needs.

Working with schools as an external provider.

– Standards to evidence strong safeguarding procedures, how staff or volunteers are supported, and developing productive relationships with schools

Why are these standards helpful?

The quality standards will help schools:Meet their statutory obligation to promote

children’s wellbeing and develop a healthy environment.

Meet their statutory obligations to deliver alcohol and drug education.

Provide evidence of effectiveness for Ofsted inspections.

How schools can use the quality standards?

The quality standards will help schools to:Identify key requirements for effective alcohol

and drug education;Self-assess their position in relation to alcohol

and drug education;Understand the vital steps for the school to

build on their existing competences and improve the provision of alcohol and drug education.

Format of the quality standards

• Introduction and guidance on using standards

• Standards – comprising an introduction; the standards; resources for further reading

• Examples of how standards might be evidenced

• Self assessment form

In developing these standards we have drawn on the following

• Drug Education Forum: Principles of good drug education and principles for supporting school drug education (2012)

• EMCDDA (2011) European Drug Prevention Quality Standards

• DfES (2004) Drugs: Guidance for Schools.• PSHE Association guidance including online CPD• SCODA (1999) The Right Approach: Quality standards in

drug education• Ofsted subject-specific guidance on PSHE• Guidance on safeguarding, e.g. www.safenetwork.org.uk • Guidelines for on staff and volunteer management

Feedback

Feedback is always appreciated. Please email us at [email protected]

http://mentor-adepis.org/

@MentorADEPIS

MentorADEPIS

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