Introduction to ADEPIS quality standards for the delivery of effective alcohol and drug education in schools. Find out more about the standards, who should use them, and download the full pdf document for FREE. Download the quality standards at http://mentor-adepis.org/quality-standards-effective-alcohol-drug-education/.

1. ADEPIS quality standards for
alcohol and drug education

2. 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.

3. “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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.”

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. Feedback
Feedback is always appreciated. Please
email us at adepis@mentoruk.org
http://mentor-adepis.org/
@MentorADEPIS
MentorADEPIS
020 7553 9920