Miscellaneous Policies

Bournemouth Youth Marching Band

Miscellaneous Policies

`BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH MARCHING BAND – SMOKING POLICY

At Band events the following rules regarding smoking will apply.

• Don’t offer cigarettes to young people

• Don't smoke in buildings that the Band are using.

• Don’t smoke around the young people in the Band

GUIDANCE

We understand that our Adult Leaders, Members and Helpers have the right to smoke and we recognise that people have a choice. Ideally, we would like them to stop smoking but when you are dealing with people who offer their time on a voluntary basis, we have to be careful what restrictions we impose. 

We must also acknowledge however, that non-smokers have rights and choices. Getting the balance between those who do and those who don’t is difficult. 

Passive smoking - The majority of adults who choose to smoke are already aware of the harmful effect of smoking. Passive (secondhand) smoking has been proved to present very severe risks to health. 

If adults don’t like smoking, then they can make a decision about the environment they are in and can also choose to talk to the smoker. 

There should be restrictions on smoking in and around the Band’s premises and events. In today’s society, there are increasing demands for a healthy environment and clean air.  Already many pubs and restaurants have declared themselves 'smoke free zones'. 

In the same way, parents have an expectation that all adults in the Band will provide a safe environment for young people.

At some time, as an adult in the Band, you may come across young people who choose to smoke. There are a number of ways in which adults can deal with young people who smoke, but the ultimate aim should be to support and inform the young person of the very harmful effect of smoking on themselves and others around them.

A young person can legally smoke when they are aged 18. Sometimes we will come across young people who are under the age of 18 and choose to smoke. We must treat these young people the same as any other young person but must also consider the effect on the rest of the group.

The law now ensures that all premises are smoke free. It is important that no adult smokes around young people. Not only does smoking around young people subject them to passive smoking, but it also increases the fire risk.

No adult who smokes should be expected to refrain from smoking for events that last longer than a couple of hours. They should however be expected to deal with this in a sensible manner. 

The smoker should make sure that they do not subject any adult or young person to their smoke, i.e. an adult who smokes should arrange a place that is out of sight and away from young people.

Remember adults lead by example.

When dealing with a young person under the age of 18 care should be taken. It is 

important that you try to help the young person, to deal with their smoking. Sometimes you may need to consider communicating with the parents.

The key to these guidance points is commonsense! We all have a responsibility to make sure we offer membership of the Band to young people in a safe environment. Their well being is paramount and we must ensure that no young person is subjected to tobacco smoke. This also applies to anyone who does not wish to be subjected to tobacco smoke.

Summary:

Don’t offer cigarettes to young people

Don't smoke in buildings used by young people - it’s against the law!

Don't smoke around young people

Try and give up 

Electronic cigarettes

Although smoking an electronic cigarette is not illegal, we strive to provide role models for young people through adult leadership. In this instance it is recommended that the smoking of an electronic cigarette device is not conducted in front of our people, just the same as traditional cigarettes are not smoked in front of young people. 

Smokers may argue that young people are not in danger from passive smoking so it’s okay to smoke an electronic device. However taking into account adults must be role models, the behaviour that adults display by smoking such devices is a strong negative image.

Research has shown that young people are influenced by adults and their behaviour. We would ask that adults look at their own conduct and consider would I smoke traditional cigarettes in the same way that I am smoking an electronic cigarette? 

We would like to commend anyone trying to give up smoking as we recognise that it brings many challenges for the person involved. 

BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH MARCHING BAND – ALCOHOL POLICY

At Band events the following rules will apply.

• Under 18s must not drink alcohol under any circumstances.

• There must be the correct ratio of adults responsible for young people at all times.

• If you are responsible for young people you must not drink alcohol.

• If you are not directly responsible for young people, and you do drink alcohol, you should still follow the Code of Behaviour.

• If you are drinking when ‘off duty’, you should consider how alcohol may affect your ability to carry out your Band duties when back on duty.

• Young people will know who is responsible for them at all times The Band will be clear which adults are responsible for the young people when there is a mix of adults present who may or may not be drinking alcohol. 

• Special arrangements will be made for Band Tours.

GUIDANCE

Alcohol in particular raises a number of issues, both for young people and for adults

Alcohol is a part of many people’s lives, regardless of whether they consume it. The issues alcohol raises are not just about the effect it has on health. Drinking alcohol can have associated hazards. The level of risk depends on who is drinking, how much and in what situation.

Drinking any amount of alcohol has effects on the physical co-ordination of the body and can seriously slow down judgement and reaction time. Within minutes of being consumed, alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream and reaches the brain where there is an immediate impairment of brain function. It takes an hour for the adult body to process one unit of alcohol.

Young people find out about alcohol by trying it themselves, observing others and through information from parents, at school and via the media, through advertising, etc. As an adult in Band, you are a role model for young people. Young people are impressionable and will inevitably be influenced by those adults they respect. 

Drinking alcohol may not mean adults set a bad example to young people. However, in certain circumstances doing so has the potential to place adults in a compromising position with regard to their responsibilities for child protection and their duty of care.

Band has to be provided in a safe manner without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. All adults need to be physically and mentally fit to undertake their responsibilities in this area. When responsible for young people, adults must not drink alcohol.

Adults must not consume alcohol when they are directly responsible for young people on a Band activity and must not permit young people (aged under 18 years) to consume alcohol on

During Band events that are attended by under-18s, the following will apply:

• Under 18s must not consume alcohol under any circumstances.

• At any one time there should be the correct ratio of responsible adults who must not consume alcohol (an absolute minimum of two people) and risk assessments in place depending on the size and nature of the event.

• In general, adults should not consume alcohol in the presence of under-18's. It is accepted though that this might occur in certain circumstances such as at fundraising and social events. This should be addressed by the risk assessment. 

• If adults are to consume alcohol, this should be in an area separate from young people, and there should be a clearly defined adult only area to which young people do not have access when practicable. It is accepted this may not always be possible such as at certain fundraising and social events.   

• Adults who do consume alcohol should be mindful of the need to follow the Code of Behaviour at all times, even if they are not directly responsible for young people.

• Consideration should be given to the effects alcohol can have and how it may affect an individual’s ability to fulfil their Band duties. This should form part of the risk assessment (for example, if someone drinks excessively they may be ineffective in performing duties the following morning).

• Consideration should also be given to running alcohol-free events and to the cultural and religious needs of all those taking part.

• All young people and adults should be aware of the standards of behaviour expected of them. Best practice is to draw up codes of conduct in advance of events.

• Young people and adults should be helped to understand the issues associated with alcohol and how to access information and advice to make informed choices.

• Any deviation from this will need to be addressed in the Risk Assessment

RATIOS:

1 adult to 5 children under 10 years

1 to 8 under 14 years

1 to 10 under 18 years

RESPONSIBLE ADULTS:

Members of the Management Team

Duty Officer for the event, who may also need an assistant

Duty First Aider for the event

Other named adult members / support team members to meet the ratio

BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH MARCHING BAND – DRUGS POLICY

• There is no place for the illegal use of Drugs in BYMB.

GUIDANCE

Legal and illegal drugs can cause problems in a Band. Use of drugs create a number of issues for both young people and adults. The advice below is a general guide to dealing with substance abuse and misuse in a youth organisation environment.

If you suspect that a young person or adult is in possession of illegal drugs then you must contact the police and then follow the band’s reporting procedures. 

If you are concerned that a young person or adult's behaviour is being affected by substance misuse, you should follow the Code of Behaviour reporting procedures.

Illegal Drugs

Under UK law it is a crime to possess, deal or produce what is termed an illegal drug. The penalties depend on which drug and the amount you have, and whether you are also involved in dealing or producing the drug. The most severe penalty can be an unlimited fine and life in prison.

You may be charged with possessing an illegal substance if you're caught with drugs, whether they're yours or not.

If you're under 18, the police are allowed to tell your parent, guardian or carer that you've been caught with drugs.

Legal Highs

Just because a drug is classed as legal does not mean it is safe. So-called 'legal highs' can produce the same harmful effects as illegal drugs; they are termed 'legal' simply because they are not yet covered by legislation such as the misuse of drugs act.

It is becoming ever more apparent that 'legal highs' are far from risk free and can have similar health hazards to drugs like cocaine, ecstasy and speed.

Like all illegal drugs, the risks associated with 'legal highs' can include reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, coma, seizures and death. These risks can be increased if used in conjunction with alcohol and other drugs.

It is quite probable that drugs purchased as a 'legal high' may in fact contain substances that are in reality illegal to posses. The most commonly-found drug that can be contained in a legal high is in fact a class B drug.

Over the counter drugs and prescription drugs

Many people use over the counter drugs (OTC) and prescription drugs safely and responsibly, but a few may become dependent or addicted to the drugs that were meant to help them.   People often think that prescription and OTC drugs are safer than illegal drugs, but that's only true when they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the purpose intended. When abused, prescription and OTC drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk of adverse health effects, including organ damage, psychotic conditions and overdose.