Free Serve Smart training launches to tackle alcohol-related harm across Mid and East Antrim

Councillor Tyler Hoey, Chairman of Mid &East Antrim Policing and Community Safety partnership is pictured with Elena Brewer, Training Officer at ASCERT; Sergeant Wickham-Thomas, Neighbourhood Policing Officer, PSNI; Christina Li, ASCERT and Colin Robinson, Training Services Manager at ASCERT.

A new free training programme aimed at helping bar, restaurant, club and off-licence staff deal confidently with alcohol-related risks is being rolled out across Mid and East Antrim this September.

Serve Smart will provide practical online training for people working in licensed premises, including guidance on responsible alcohol service, recognising potential risks and safely managing challenging situations involving alcohol.

The programme has been developed by ASCERT as part of the Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Drugs and Alcohol Programme, in partnership with the PSNI.

Helping staff make difficult decisions

Unlike some workplace requirements, there is currently no legal requirement in Northern Ireland for staff serving or selling alcohol to receive training specifically on alcohol-related harm or responsible serving practices.

Serve Smart is intended to help address that gap.

Training will cover alcohol misuse in Northern Ireland, recommended drinking guidelines, the effects of alcohol on the body and the wider consequences for individuals, communities and frontline services.

Organisers say the aim is not simply to encourage responsible drinking, but to give staff greater confidence when they encounter difficult situations in pubs, clubs, restaurants and off-licences.

Chair of Mid and East Antrim PCSP, Councillor Tyler Hoey, said the need for additional support had been identified through the partnership’s Drugs and Alcohol Steering Group.

He said:

“Through our Mid and East Antrim PCSP Drugs and Alcohol Steering Group, the need for support to staff working in licensed premises was recognised. This steering group is a multi-agency working group of key statutory, community and voluntary organisations who work collaboratively to address drugs & alcohol issues across the Borough.

“Our work is focused on prevention and early intervention through key networks, information sharing and providing training opportunities across the Borough.

“As a PCSP, we felt it important to provide support to staff working in licensed premises, whether that was pubs, clubs, restaurants and off-licences. Serve Smart will give these staff the confidence to make difficult decisions, knowing that they are promoting responsible alcohol service.”

Alcohol-related harm goes beyond licensed premises

The initiative comes against the wider impact of alcohol misuse on health, policing and communities.

According to figures highlighted as part of the programme, 65% of respondents to a Northern Ireland survey reported reaching or exceeding the recommended daily drinking level on at least one occasion during the previous week.

Alcohol consumption is also associated with significant health risks, including an increased risk of seven types of cancer.

For businesses, alcohol-related incidents can bring their own consequences, ranging from violence towards staff and sickness absence to accident claims, increased insurance costs, loss of business, licence reviews and potential prosecution.

Colin Robinson, ASCERT Training Services Manager, said the training was designed to provide practical resources for people across the licensed trade.

He said:

“We are delighted to be working with Mid & East Antrim PCSP and the PSNI to deliver this innovative initiative, providing practical training resources for licences, managers and staff across the licensed trade.

“The Serve Smart videos will be available to licensees, managers and staff working in pubs, clubs, restaurants and off-licences throughout the Borough, with PSNI officers also engaging directly with businesses to promote the training.

“While the alcohol sales are governed by legislation, there is currently no legal requirement in Northern Ireland for staff to receive training on alcohol related harm or responsible serving practises. The Serve Smart training videos help address this by equipping staff with the knowledge and confidence to promote responsible drinking, identify potential risks and contribute to creating safer, more positive environments for customers.”

PSNI highlights pressure on policing and emergency services

Police say alcohol remains a significant factor in incidents occurring during the evening and at night, particularly in public places.

Sergeant Wickham-Thomas, a PSNI Neighbourhood Policing Officer, said the importance of the licensed trade to the economy had to be balanced against alcohol-related harm.

“The sale of alcohol is important for the local economy and job market. Most people drink responsibly and enjoy alcohol as part of a social setting. However, this needs to be balanced with recognising alcohol-related harms.

“Alcohol consumption is a significant factor in incidents occurring in the evening and night and in public places. Alcohol has a wider impact on communities and on frontline services such as police and emergency departments.

“We are very pleased to be working alongside ASCERT, MEA PCSP and town centre management teams in developing this practical tool for staff working in licensed premises and off sales to tackle alcohol-related harms.”

ASCERT hopes the Mid and East Antrim initiative could ultimately provide a model that is replicated elsewhere in Northern Ireland, creating a more consistent approach to responsible alcohol retailing.

How to access the free training

Serve Smart training materials will be available through a QR code contained in an information leaflet being distributed to licensed premises across Mid and East Antrim.

Licensees, managers and staff working in pubs, clubs, restaurants and off-licences are eligible to access the training.

Businesses which do not receive a leaflet, or anyone seeking further information about Serve Smart and other PCSP programmes, can contact Mid and East Antrim PCSP at: pcsp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk