The Better Testing Pathway starts here
Workplace drug & alcohol testing, training and support for UK employers.
"Now, failure does not have to mean fire."
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We help UK organisations cut workplace risk with drug and alcohol testing, substance misuse awareness training, strong policies and practical support. Safety comes first, and so do your people.
Rules & Policies
Drug and alcohol policies, procedures and paperwork that are fair, clear and stand up if challenged.
Learn moreManager Training
Help managers spot the signs of impairment, act correctly and lead with confidence.
Learn moreTesting & Support
On-site workplace drug and alcohol testing, backed by practical support for your business and your people.
Learn moreWhere we test: on-site drug and alcohol testing is currently available across Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, Northumberland. Training, policy writing and consultancy are available online across the whole of the UK. Further afield with a larger contract? Get in touch and we will see what we can do.
Most workplace testing problems can be fixed
Weak policies, untrained managers and poor processes create risk you don't need. The right setup changes everything.
01
What's going wrong
Policies that gather dust, managers left to guess, and testing processes that create more confusion than protection.
02
A better way forward
The Better Testing Pathway swaps box-ticking for clear decisions, fair processes and simple systems that really protect your business.
03
How First Cohort helps
We fix weak spots, train your leaders through The Bainbridge Institute and build an approach that works in real life, not just on paper.
From the blog
All articles10 November 2026
Medical Cannabis at Work: What Should UK Employers Do?
What do you do when an employee tells you they take prescribed medical cannabis? Do you stop them working, arrange a drug test or change their duties?
2 November 2026
Workplace Drug Testing and Employee Rights: What Employers Need to Know
Can an employee refuse a workplace drug test—and does a positive result mean dismissal? Discover the rights, responsibilities and fair procedures employers need to understand, and how First Cohort can help you get them right.
20 July 2026
Is Workplace Drug Testing Really What Your Business Needs?
When a business first contacts us, the conversation almost always starts in the same way. "We're looking for workplace drug testing." It's a perfectly reasonable request, but we find that it's worth asking another…
Ready to train your team?
Courses, manager training and resources are available on The Bainbridge Institute.