Self-Harming and Suicidal Behaviour

Many young people who come into the 'looked after' system have experienced significant trauma in their lives and are often highly vulnerable. It is likely that these young people will sometimes have multiple and complex needs and significant behavioural and emotional difficulties, which can lead to acting in ways that place themselves in situations of high risk.

NICE guidelines define self-harm as "self-poisoning or self-injury, irrespective of the apparent purpose of the act".

As part of Placement Planning, relevant information should be gathered and appropriate risk assessments put in place alongside relevant intervention strategies.

This should be regularly reviewed and monitored.

In situations where staff are involved with a young person who is actively self-harming or suicidal, they should, in consultation with other members of the team, ensure there is a plan to manage the effects such as distress or grief, that an incident of self-harm or suicide may cause other workers, family members and other young people in the setting.

All reasonable measures should be taken to reduce or prevent continuation of the behaviour.

This may include providing additional supervision, confiscation of materials that may be used to self-harm or, as a last resort, use of physical intervention or calling for assistance from the emergency services.

If there is any suspicion that the young person may be involved in self harming or any attempts of suicide, the social worker must be informed and a risk assessment undertaken (if it does not already exist) with a view to deciding whether a strategy should be adopted to reduce or prevent the behaviour. That strategy should be included in the young person's Placement Plan.

Staff should support the young person to access suitable professional support to help keep the young person safe and to help the young person to better understand their previous experiences and behaviours of self-harm (where applicable).

The young person should be involved in decision making around any changes to their support package and living arrangements.

Staff should keep appropriate records of self-harming incidents and share relevant information and decisions with the young person’s accommodating authority and other relevant professionals.

Statutory Guidance and Government Non-Statutory Guidance

Suicide Prevention Strategy for England

Suicide Prevention: Resources and Guidance

Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance

Suicide Prevention in England: Fifth Progress Report of the Cross-Government Outcomes Strategy to Save Lives

Useful Websites

Mind

The Mix - Essential Support for Under 25s

National Self Harm Network

Papyrus

Young Minds

NHS Choices – Self Harm

NHS Choices – Suicide

Self Harm in Young People: for Parents and Carers