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Alcohol and Drug Use: People Receiving Care, Relatives and Visitors in Care Homes Policy

Introduction

This policy sets out the values, principles and key procedures underpinning {{org_field_name}}’s approach to potential drug and alcohol use by people who use services, relatives and visitors. The policy is written with the healthcare needs of people who use services in mind and the health and safety issues the home must address as part of its duty of care.

The policy is consistent with national care standards that promote people’s choice and independence rights to make their own lifestyle decisions. The home is also mindful of its obligations to observe the laws relating to alcohol consumption and drug misuse and does not tolerate illegal behaviour in any of these respects. The home addresses individual cases of potential alcohol or drug abuse within a risk assessment and management framework.

The policy works on the principle that people who use services should be able to consume alcohol as they would in their own homes or in their social lives. The home, however, needs to put limits to alcohol use to:

• make sure people who use services are kept safe from any harm caused by possible alcohol abuse
• ensure that the home operates within the law.

As a general principle, the home accepts the idea of responsible drinking, recognising that alcohol use has a role in some people’s personal lives and in social functions that take place in the home — as it does in the community in general.

Policy Statement

The home does not permit illegal drug use in the home by anybody, including people who use services, relatives or visitors. People who use services and any visitors who are found to be taking illegal drugs will be treated as being in breach of their contract and will be made aware that both they and the home will be breaking the law.

The home will contact the police if it finds any illegal substances in the home which can be attributed to their being taken by people who use services or their visitors.

{{org_field_name}} recognises that moderate alcohol consumption forms a normal and enjoyable part of many people’s lives. It therefore enables any people who use services who wish to spend leisure time at local public houses to do so subject to risk assessments concerning their personal safety while out, as would be made under any similar circumstances.

People who use services are also permitted to use alcohol for their own personal and social use in the home subject to the following restrictions.

1. The use of alcohol must be reasonable and not excessive.
2. The use of alcohol must not present a problem to other people who use services, their relatives and visitors or to staff.
3. Alcohol must be securely kept in people’s rooms, preferably in locked cupboards or wardrobes.
4. In some instances, people who use services might ask the home to keep their alcohol supplies, which will then be locked away, looked after and accessed as are other possessions placed in the home’s safekeeping.

The management of alcohol use must include consideration of possible contraindications with medication or medical conditions and inappropriate access, which will be subject to risk assessments within the person’s care plan. In situations where there is concern identified in relation to the use or misuse of alcohol, discussion should take place with the person who uses services, family members (with agreement of the individual), GP and named worker.

Any person who uses services who shows signs of having an alcohol problem will be encouraged to obtain medical help and treatment to bring it under control. Any interventions made to reduce the problem will be included in the person’s plan of care and subject to regular reassessment and review. The home will work closely with the person’s medical team to find a satisfactory solution to any difficulties the person has been having.

All those new to the service are informed of the home’s drugs and alcohol policy during their introductory visit or during their initial interview and must, prior to moving into the home, sign a contract agreeing to the restrictions on alcohol and drug use imposed by the home. The home reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone considering using the services with established drug or alcohol problems.

Disputes arising with people who use services or their relatives from the drugs or alcohol policy are addressed initially through a meeting with the person, relatives (where appropriate), their key worker (if there is one) and the manager of the home. Subsequent actions will be determined by the meeting’s outcomes. Where other people who use services put in a complaint, eg because of someone behaving inappropriately under the influence of alcohol, the matter will be investigated by following the home’s complaints procedure. Individuals who refuse to accept the “no drugs or alcohol” policy are directed to the drugs and alcohol clause in the contract of residence.

Where there are indications of there being potential alcohol problems among people who use services as a group, the home will seek to provide information through posters and leaflets, etc on the health implications of excessive drinking and the availability of support and treatment services.

Where there is evidence that one or more person is at risk of being harmed by their alcohol use, or are putting other people who use services at risk of harm from their alcohol use, the home applies its safeguarding policy. This could include alerting or taking advice from the local safeguarding authority and following its procedures in line with the assessment of the risks involved.

Alcoholic beverages may be provided during meals and other social functions in the home within reasoned amounts and under supervision. The home might also seek from time to time permission to run a bar in the home as part of a social function. If it does this it will comply with all licensing laws and associated health and safety regulations.

Training

All staff receive training in this policy. The training is included or linked to broader training and policies on safeguarding people who use services from abuse and harm.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

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