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Five-session mentoring course

Vaping and nicotine use

Who it's for

Consider this course for a pupil showing:

  • Found in possession of a vape, or the smell of sweet vapour on clothing or breath
  • Frequent, unexplained trips to the toilet or behind buildings during breaks
  • Borrowing money regularly, or unexplained spending
  • Mood dips, irritability or restlessness between uses, consistent with early nicotine dependence
  • Peer group where vaping is normalised or expected

What it works towards

  • Understand what is actually in a vape and how nicotine dependence forms
  • Recognise personal triggers and social pressure around vaping
  • Build practical refusal skills for offers and peer pressure
  • Reduce frequency of use, or stay vape-free, using an agreed personal plan
  • Know who to go to for ongoing support, without fear of blanket punishment

The five sessions

  1. Session 1 What is actually in a vape Pupil can describe how nicotine dependence forms and separate facts from common myths about vaping.
  2. Session 2 My triggers and social pressure Pupil can name at least two personal triggers for vaping, including social pressure situations.
  3. Session 3 Refusal skills that do not feel awkward Pupil can rehearse at least two refusal responses that feel natural to use with friends.
  4. Session 4 Cutting down or staying vape-free Pupil can describe one practical strategy for reducing use or staying vape-free this week.
  5. Session 5 My vaping support plan Pupil has a personalised plan and knows who to speak to at school if the pupil wants support later.

A sixth session follows, without the pupil: the mentor writes the support plan and agrees next steps.

The approach, and where it comes from

Sessions use a non-judgemental, harm-reduction and motivational-interviewing style (guiding the pupil to find their own reasons for change, rather than being told what to do) rather than a lecture on rules, on the view that shame drives the behaviour out of sight rather than out of use. The course reflects DfE's wider tobacco and vaping strategy and NHS Smokefree guidance, and supports the personal development and well-being evaluation area in Ofsted's inspection framework, which expects schools to help pupils understand risks to their physical health. Where a pupil discloses supply to other pupils, follow your school's usual safeguarding and behaviour procedures alongside this course.

Try it with a small group

Three weeks free, no card, up to three staff and ten pupils. Everything recorded during the trial carries over if you continue.

Start the free pilot

Or read the white paper, which sets out the evidence behind each of the twenty courses.

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