Young people's practitioners toolkit - working with substance misuse

Introduction

Who should use this toolkit

This toolkit has been developed in conjunction with the Lambeth Drug and Alcohol Team (LDAT) and key practitioners who work with young people affected by substance use. It has been designed to provide information, advice and guidance for all services working with young people and should stand as a template of good practice, to ensure that young people in Lambeth are receiving support which is consistent, appropriate and of the highest quality.

What does the toolkit contain?

The toolkit is both a practical guide and a reference source. It will also enable you to identify the most effective intervention and/or service to assist you in your work with any young person affected by substance use and advise you in the best methods of joint working.

The toolkit is arranged so that the busy practitioner can quickly identify the information they need without having to read the whole document/website.

Definitions

The definition of substance use as used in this website is in line with government and other good practice guidance and reflects the specific nature of substance use by young people.

Substances

Here, the term 'substances' refer not just to illegal drugs and alcohol but also to all substances that young people might use in an experimental, recreational or problematic way:

• Nicotine (tobacco)
• Volatile substances including solvents, aerosols, lighter and other fuel
• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs
• Prescribed or "over the counter" drugs and medicines that are used for a recreational rather than medicinal purpose
• Plants and fungi e.g. magic mushrooms

Problematic substance use or misuse

In this context, 'problematic substance use or user' means use of any substance that is causing identifiable problems to the user or any person who is experiencing problems as a result of their substance use. This includes psychological and physical health issues as well as legal, financial, and relationship problems.

• Working with young people on substance misuse issues and identifying needs and referrals
  This section provides guidance to practitioners about how to identify, support and refer a young person to specialist services and how those services are configured.
  
• Guidance for working with young people
  Trust and confidentiality are central to establishing and developing relationships between you and young people.
  
• Young people's substance misuse practitioners
  The practitioner is responsible for providing specialist advice, support and treatment to young people and other workers where substance misuse has been identified as an issue.
  
• Young people's substance misuse treatment
  The monitoring system used within specialist services and the transition from Youth to Adult Services.
  
• Drug education
  Drug education is now an accepted part of government policy and strategy and alongside this, it is considered essential that all workers realise the role they have to play in providing this education.
  
• The needs of young people in substance using families
  An increasing amount of attention is being paid to the issues faced by children and young people where parental substance use has a negative impact.
  
• Training and professional development
  It is essential that you feel confident to work effectively with young people where substance use is an issue. Some of this confidence will come from general work experience and ongoing support from colleagues and management. However, a greater part of your knowledge should be enhanced by good quality training.