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  3. Drug & Alcohol Abuse: Substance Misuse, Risk & Safeguarding Training Course

“The trainer is always excellent and always makes it fun.”

George, Kedleston Schools, High Peak School, Disley, Stockport

Course Summary

In the current safeguarding climate, professionals must be equipped to handle the intersection of substance misuse, mental health, and criminal exploitation. This Level 3 course moves beyond basic awareness, offering a deep dive into the socio-environmental factors that increase vulnerability, such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the rising threat of County Lines exploitation.

A Proactive Framework for Substance Safeguarding

By shifting from a punitive mindset to a trauma-informed approach, this training bridges the gap between identifying risk and providing life-changing intervention. We focus on developing "professional curiosity," ensuring that staff can navigate complex legal boundaries—such as bedroom searches and handling illegal substances—with confidence and proportionality.

  • Legislative Expertise: Detailed analysis of drug classifications (A, B, and C) and the specific legal penalties associated with possession and supply.
  • Risk Identification: Recognising the behavioural and emotional red flags of substance use, as well as the indicators of emerging synthetic substances and volatile solvent misuse.
  • Emergency Response: Practical guidance on supporting individuals under the influence, including first-aid considerations and de-escalation techniques.
  • The Cycle of Change: Understanding the psychological stages of recovery and how to effectively support motivation and relapse prevention.
  • Harm Reduction: Learning how to share life-saving messages regarding peer pressure, online influences, and safety planning without damaging the professional relationship.

Navigating Complexity with Professional Curiosity

Success in substance misuse safeguarding relies on a practitioner’s ability to look beyond the surface behaviour. This course empowers you to maintain a dual focus: meeting your statutory recording and reporting obligations while simultaneously fostering a psychologically safe environment. By mastering the distinction between substance use, misuse, and dependence, you can tailor your support to the individual’s specific stage of recovery, ultimately reducing the latent vulnerability of those in your care.

This course is an essential investment for organisations looking to enhance their safeguarding culture. It provides practitioners with the tools to create environments where individuals feel empowered to disclose substance-related challenges without fear of immediate punishment, leading to better long-term outcomes.

Course Learning Outcomes

Review the learning objectives below. Expand each aim to view the detailed criteria this course covers.

1Understand what substance misuse is, including relevant UK legislation, classifications and categories.
  • 1.1Define substance misuse using current, trauma‑informed terminology, including the distinction between use, misuse, dependence, and harm‑reduction approaches.
  • 1.2Identify and explain key UK legislation relating to substance misuse, possession, supply, and safeguarding responsibilities (e.g., Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, Children Act 1989/2004).
  • 1.3Analyse the differences between drug classifications (A, B, C) and explain how these relate to risk, harm, and legal consequences.
  • 1.4Describe the possession and supply penalties associated with each classification, including aggravating factors such as intent to supply, exploitation, or proximity to schools/care settings.
  • 1.5Confirm the different categories of substances, including illegal drugs, prescription medication misuse, over‑the‑counter misuse, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, solvents/volatile substances, and emerging synthetic substances.
  • 1.6 Describe the information children and young people must receive at placement, including organisational substance misuse policies, expectations, boundaries, harm‑reduction messages, and legal rights.
2Understand possible influences and indicators of substance misuse for children and young people.
  • 2.1Evaluate the individual, social, environmental, and contextual factors that may increase vulnerability to substance misuse (e.g., trauma, peer influence, social media, mental health, neurodiversity, community factors).
  • 2.2Explain the links between substance misuse, exploitation, county lines, criminal/sexual exploitation, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and latent vulnerability.
  • 2.3Describe behavioural, emotional, physical, and environmental indicators that may raise concern that a child is using, supplying, or in possession of substances.
  • 2.4Define the Cycle of Change/Recovery, including how it applies to young people and how staff can support motivation, readiness, and relapse‑prevention.
  • 2.5Recognise how stigma, shame, and fear of consequences may affect a young person’s willingness to disclose substance use.
3Understand the action to take and procedures to follow if a child is suspected of using, supplying, or possessing illegal substances.
  • 3.1Describe the procedure to follow when concerns arise, including immediate safety actions, recording, reporting, and escalation in line with safeguarding policy.
  • 3.2Confirm the safeguards, legal considerations, and limitations of conducting bedroom or personal area searches, including consent, proportionality, and organisational policy.
  • 3.3Explain how suspected substances must be handled, stored, and disposed of safely and legally, including when police involvement is required.
  • 3.4Describe ways of supporting a child who appears under the influence, including first‑aid considerations, emotional regulation, de‑escalation, and monitoring
  • 3.5Recognise specific safeguarding precautions relating to solvent and volatile substance misuse, including environmental risks and emergency responses.
  • 3.6Confirm situations where police, health services, or specialist substance misuse services must be involved.
  • 3.7Explain how to maintain professional curiosity, avoid assumptions, and ensure responses are non‑judgemental and trauma‑informed.
4Understand ways of safeguarding and educating children who may be vulnerable to substance misuse.
  • 4.1Explain the importance of education, early intervention, and harm‑reduction approaches in reducing risk and promoting informed decision‑making
  • 4.2Describe key messages to share with children and young people, including risks, boundaries, consent, safety planning, peer pressure, online influences, and organisational policy.
  • 4.3Confirm how children and young people can be supported to access specialist services, community resources, health professionals, and confidential advice.
  • 4.4Describe how to create a psychologically safe environment where children feel able to talk about substance use without fear of punishment.
  • 4.5Explain how staff can model healthy coping strategies, resilience, and emotional regulation to reduce vulnerability to substance misuse.

Who is this course for?

This course is essential for anyone responsible for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals. While the primary focus is on safeguarding children and young people, the risk assessment frameworks and substance misuse insights are highly adaptable for those working with adults. It is specifically designed for: Support workers, foster carers, TAs, Teachers and Frontline staff identifying early signs of drug and alcohol misuse.

Duration

1 day course - we can be flexible on start and finish times to suit your needs such as school run friendly times.

Availability

This drug, alcohol and substance misuse training course is offered in two delivery formats:

  • Remote Online: Led by a live tutor via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, allowing participants to join remotely. (Also known as virtual classroom training)
  • Face-to-Face: Delivered in person at your location or a venue you arrange. (Also referred to as on-site training)

View a comparison of Remote and in-person face to face training .
Complete our quick enquiry form for a price and available dates.

Certification

Each learner completing this course will receive a digital (PDF) certificate of learning.

Accreditation

The course contents are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) Credit4Learning as a Level 3 course.

Remote or Face to Face

Choose the learning environment that works best for you: our expert-led training is offered in two convenient formats - remote tutor led online or in person face to face.

Compare Remote with Face to Face

1 Day Course

Flexible start and finish times to suit you. Contact us for available dates.

Accredited

The course contents are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) Credit4Learning as a Level 3 course.

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Course FAQs

What is the difference between 'drug and alcohol abuse' and 'substance misuse'?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, 'substance misuse' is the preferred trauma-informed term. It encompasses the use of any substance (including prescription meds, solvents, and alcohol) in a way that causes harm or isn't intended, whereas 'abuse' can carry a stigmatising tone that may prevent vulnerable individuals from seeking help or disclosing their use.

Does this course cover the latest UK drug laws?

Yes. The training includes comprehensive modules on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. It also covers more recent safeguarding legislation and the legalities surrounding search-and-seizure within care and placement settings.

Why is Level 3 training specifically recommended for foster carers and support workers?

Level 3 training provides a more analytical approach than basic awareness courses. It equips those on the frontline with the ability to evaluate complex risks, such as the link between substance use and County Lines exploitation, which is vital for anyone holding safeguarding responsibilities for vulnerable children or adults.

Will I learn how to handle an emergency situation involving drugs?

Absolutely. A key part of the curriculum involves identifying the physical signs of being 'under the influence' and the immediate actions to take, including first-aid priorities, monitoring, and knowing exactly when to escalate to health services or the police.

How does this course help in building trust with a young person using substances?

The course focuses heavily on 'psychological safety' and non-judgemental communication. By understanding the Cycle of Change and the impact of stigma and shame, you will learn how to maintain boundaries while remaining a safe, supportive figure for a young person in crisis.
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