· FOI · not held
Training given to teachers to deliver drugs education: FOI release
Information requested
Information on what training is given to teachers to deliver drugs education.
Response
The Scottish Government does not hold detailed information on the training given to teachers to deliver drugs education.
All universities that provide Initial Teacher Education (ITE) are committed to ensuring that student teachers have a secure knowledge and understanding of health education (including drug education) and are able to apply this at a level which stimulates and challenges pupils and raises awareness of relevant issues. Although each ITE programme differs they aim to ensure that they help student teachers understand their responsibilities. Requests for more information on the content of ITE programmes should be directed at the universities and a contact list is attached.
Once qualified, teachers are expected to demonstrate they meet the Standard for Full Registration (SFR) which is part of a suite of professional standards managed by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Teachers are expected to regularly demonstrate that they meet the SFR as part of the Professional Update scheme. Professional actions that teachers are expected to follow include:
Providing and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all learners within a caring and compassionate ethos and with an understanding of wellbeing. Demonstrating a secure knowledge and understanding of the wellbeing indicators Recognising when a learner's behaviour may signify distress requiring the need for further support, and take appropriate action.
It is also worth noting that teachers are employed by local authorities and as such they are responsible for ensuring access to appropriate high quality professional learning. Each teacher will, in discussion with their line manager, decide on what skills and knowledge they need to develop and how they will achieve this. The Scottish Government, therefore, does not prescribe training for registered teachers as this is a matter between the individual teacher and their line manager.