In this section

• Sheffield Approach
• Information and Education about
  Substances
• Substance Misuse - what
  constitutes a problem?
• Harm Reduction
• Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities

Almost any worker involved in services to young people can have a role to play in identifying young people with possible substance misuse problems:

Primary Care and General Practitioners

There are invaluable opportunities for active screening and triage of young people in primary care settings, including: casualty, family practice, school nurses etc. These opportunities may occur during routine health screening, for example when registering at a practice, as well as when young people are seen for treatment.

All paediatricians, general practitioners and nurses involved in the care of young people should familiarise themselves with these screening and referral guidelines. In addition to this they must have a working knowledge of:

• How to screen effectively and if necessary evaluate the nature and extent of substance misuse in order to make
  an appropriate referral
• What specialist support services available to young people, including treatment and other community resources
• Confidentiality issues

Teachers, Nursery Staff, Out of School Workers etc.

These workers can be professionals and volunteers engaged in the care or education of children and young people (teachers, nursery staff, out of school hour staff, child care). This sector covers the largest number of children and young people.

There is no expectation for universal workers to have any specialist knowledge about substance misuse. However, workers are expected to be able to comply with the following course of action if they have any concerns:

• Raise their concerns with a senior practitioner (e.g. in school the child protection co-ordinator or the PSHE co-ordinator, in a play group the lead worker)
• If unsure contact the SHED service for advice (contact details here). Agencies can always remain anonymous at this stage in order to gain advice as to the best course of action
• Make a referral, when considered necessary

Any person working with vulnerable young people

These Workers will be engaged in targeted work and it is more likely for them to come in contact with young people who are engaged in some form of substance misuse. Therefore their level of knowledge, skill, and ability to act should be greater than with the universal workers. It is likely, for example, that they will have experience of working with young people who misuse substances, or have completed a training course about substance use (for example Basic Drugs Awareness).

Therefore it is expected that, as part of their day to day work, they will:

• Discuss substances and substance use with young people
• Provide basic information and advice to young people about the effects and risks of a range of substances, including how to reduce some of the risks in using substances.
• Support substance using young people in accessing the mainstream service provision they are entitled to.
• Screen young people using the Substance Misuse Screening Tool, and refer where necessary to SHED for specialist assessment and support.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings where the different support needs of the young person are discussed and agency responsibilities are planned out.