Operational partnerships - Kent youth drug intervention scheme / Medway drug and intervention and support programme policy (O34)

1. Summary of Changes

1.1. This policy has been reviewed in January 2024 – The following changes have been made:

• Minor clarifications to services offered.
• Minor amendments to terminology.

2. What this Policy is About

2.1. “RE-FRAME” (Kent) and Drug intervention support programme “DISP” (Medway) are inter-agency approaches to tackling drug possession or concerns about drug misuse amongst young people under the age of 18 years.

2.2. Both schemes are to be attended on a voluntary basis and can be used as a diversion from receiving a formal out of court resolution (youth caution and youth conditional caution) or prosecution or as part of an educational diversion under outcome 22 for ages 10-17.

2.3. Both schemes are available for incidents occurring within the school environment, the home or within public and as apply to both formal and informal resolutions, an admission of guilt will not always be required to submit this referral.

Compliance with this policy and any linked SOP is mandatory.

3. Statement of Policy

3.1. RE-FRAME (Kent) / DISP (Medway) are aimed at young people found on the first occasion only, in possession of Class B or C drugs, or where it is suspected that they are or are at risk of misusing drugs. In some limited cases a second intervention may be offered but this must be following a Youth Justice Team (YJT) referral. Likewise, in some limited circumstances first time simple possession of Class A may be suitable for referral but will require YJT supervisor approval.

3.2. Both schemes offer a confidential one to one intervention between the service provider and the young person covering subjects such as: education on illegal drugs, the law, prevention of drug misuse, harm minimisation and impact of drug offending. Attendance and participation record

3.3. The intention is to reduce the likelihood of adopting a criminal lifestyle by providing information and additional support if required.

3.4. Referrals can be made to the schemes by any agency or person, for example: police, Youth Offending Teams, schools, parents/guardians. The young person can also self-refer into the agencies through a different process.

4. Implications of the Policy

4.1. Finance / Staffing / Training / Other

4.1.1. Finance - the funding for this scheme is provided by partner agencies. There are no staffing or training requirements.

4.2. Risk Assessment

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as low risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment

4.3.1. This policy has been assessed with regards to its relevance to race and diversity equality. As a result of this assessment the policy has been graded as having a medium potential impact.

5. Consultation

• Force Crime and Incident Registrar
• Corporate Services and Investigation Management Unit
• Crime Management and Performance Command.
• Human Resources
• Finance
• IT Security
• Legal
• Freedom of Information
• Equality and Diversity
• Health and Safety

6. Monitoring and Review

6.1. The Inspector with the force portfolio for Substance Misuse will undertake reviews within the time scale required for this policy. Additional reviews will be undertaken if and when there are changes to: the funding of this service, the service provider, any alteration to the content of the scheme or any changes to internal practice or procedures. This policy relates to a diversion and/or education opportunities which will not be impacted upon by changes of legislation.

6.2. The policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review scheduled for January 2026.

7. Related Force Procedures

• N17 - Reporting Incidents in Schools

8. Other Source Documents

• Data Protection Act 1998
• Human Rights Act

9. Security

9.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy (Policy W1000 – Information Management).

10. Retention and Disposal of Records

10.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal Policy (Policy W1012 – Records Review, Retention and Disposal).