The Department for Education does not collect this information.

Every looked after child must have a care plan, which takes account of their needs, including any health needs. Problems with substance misuse would be considered as part of this. The Department for Education would expect homes to support young people in dealing with substance misuse and draw in specialist health and substance misuse support to advise and offer treatment where needed.

Young people may refuse the support offered or may not wish to co-operate with a particular treatment or intervention. In these circumstances care staff and relevant health professionals will need to consider whether alternative forms of support or a more specialist placement would be appropriate in meeting the child’s needs.

Care staff will still need to work with the consent of the child or young person. Good quality relationships and trust established early between care staff and young people will support this.

However, in circumstances where refusal of treatment poses a significant risk of permanent injury or death, ultimately a court could overrule the young person’s decision.

Current statutory guidance for children’s homes is clear that:

“When a child or young person needs additional assistance to promote their health, the children’s homes staff should work with the child’s social worker so that they have proper and immediate access to any other specialist support required.” - (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Vol 5: Children’s homes para 2.49).

The Department for Education collects data on the number of children in residential care who have a substance misuse problem whether it is with drugs or alcohol. There are no plans to break that collection down into two sub categories. If children in residential care have a substance misuse problem – whatever the substance is – the support and services they need should be set out in their care plan. This government has introduced a significant programme of reform to improve the quality of care in children’s homes. The ‘Quality Standards’ for children’s homes, which, subject to parliamentary approval, will come into force in April 2015 include a health and wellbeing standard. This standard will be measured against the advice, services and support provided to promote children’s health and well-being and ensure they have healthy lifestyles.

The Department for Education does not hold information on the number of children in residential care addicted to narcotics or alcohol but we do hold data on substance misuse concerning drugs and alcohol (but not tobacco). 9.7% of children looked after in a residential placement at 31 March, who had been looked after for at least 12 months were recorded as having a substance misuse problem.

Substance misuse is defined as ‘intoxication by (or regular excessive consumption or and/or dependence on) psychoactive substances, leading to social, psychological, physical or legal problems’. It includes problematic use of both legal and illegal drugs (including alcohol when used in combination with other substances).

Information on the number of looked after children identified as having a substance misuse problem is published in Table 5 of the ‘Outcomes for children looked after by local authorities’ Statistical First Release: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/outcomes-for-children-looked-after-by-local-authorities

Substance misuse by children who have been looked after continuously for at least 12 months¹ in residential placements at 31 March^2,3

Coverage: England, 2014

Source: SSDA903

1. Information on substance misuse is collected for children looked after continuously for at least 12 months as at 31 March excluding those children in respite care.

2. Residential settings include secure units, and children's homes and hostels subject to regulations.

3. Includes children in care for at least 12 months and placed in a residential setting at 31 March 2014. However, they may have been in different placements during the year.

4. The term ‘drug’ is used to refer to any psychotropic substance, including illegal drugs, illicit use of prescription drugs and volatile substances. Young people’s drug taking is often inextricably linked with the consumption of alcohol. Therefore the term ‘substance’ refers to both drugs and alcohol but not tobacco. Substance misuse is defined as ‘intoxication by (or regular excessive consumption or and/or dependence on) psychoactive substances, leading to social, psychological, physical or legal problems’. It includes problematic use of both legal and illegal drugs (including alcohol when used in combination with other substances).

5. Age as at 31 March.

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

x = number less than or equal to 5 or percentage where the numerator is less than or equal to 5 or the denominator is less than or equal to 10.

The Department for Education does not hold information on the number of children in residential care addicted to narcotics or alcohol but we do hold data on substance misuse concerning drugs and alcohol (but not tobacco). 9.7% of children looked after in a residential placement at 31 March, who had been looked after for at least 12 months were recorded as having a substance misuse problem.

Substance misuse is defined as ‘intoxication by (or regular excessive consumption or and/or dependence on) psychoactive substances, leading to social, psychological, physical or legal problems’. It includes problematic use of both legal and illegal drugs (including alcohol when used in combination with other substances).

Information on the number of looked after children identified as having a substance misuse problem is published in Table 5 of the ‘Outcomes for children looked after by local authorities’ Statistical First Release: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/outcomes-for-children-looked-after-by-local-authorities

Substance misuse by children who have been looked after continuously for at least 12 months¹ in residential placements at 31 March^2,3

Coverage: England, 2014

Source: SSDA903

1. Information on substance misuse is collected for children looked after continuously for at least 12 months as at 31 March excluding those children in respite care.

2. Residential settings include secure units, and children's homes and hostels subject to regulations.

3. Includes children in care for at least 12 months and placed in a residential setting at 31 March 2014. However, they may have been in different placements during the year.

4. The term ‘drug’ is used to refer to any psychotropic substance, including illegal drugs, illicit use of prescription drugs and volatile substances. Young people’s drug taking is often inextricably linked with the consumption of alcohol. Therefore the term ‘substance’ refers to both drugs and alcohol but not tobacco. Substance misuse is defined as ‘intoxication by (or regular excessive consumption or and/or dependence on) psychoactive substances, leading to social, psychological, physical or legal problems’. It includes problematic use of both legal and illegal drugs (including alcohol when used in combination with other substances).

5. Age as at 31 March.

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

x = number less than or equal to 5 or percentage where the numerator is less than or equal to 5 or the denominator is less than or equal to 10.