Page 7 - Guidance for Schools, Colleges, and Youth Services :: Portus

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Self-harm and suicide risk The role of Youth services
It is important that you are aware that sometimes, The guidance in this document can help you
self-harm is associated with suicidal thoughts or understand how to support a young person who is
behaviour. It is also important to know that even hurting themselves because of emotional distress.
though self-harm is relatively common in young
people, suicide is rare. Youth services can support young people to find
the help and support they need to cope with the
Attempted suicides are uncommon in childhood and difficulties they may be facing.
early adolescence, but risk increases in the late teens It’s important to discuss sensitively with the young
and continues to rise into early adulthood.
person how to help them and identify who to
Nevertheless, all people working with children and involve in the process. In most situations this will be
young people must be aware of the potential for someone from their school/college and or their GP.
someone to die by suicide and must work together to Discuss with the young person who they would most
ensure that no child or young person feels suicide is like to help them.
their only option.
If you are concerned that a child or young person Working with others
may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, the best It is important to ensure parent’s and carer’s are
way to find out is to ask them directly. We know involved in this process unless there are safeguarding
that this can be difficult, and some staff can feel concerns relating to the young person’s family.
uncomfortable talking about suicide.
As young people should be attending an educational
Self-Harm Safety Plan setting on a regular basis, schools and colleges are
also well placed to support anyone who is facing
To help you co-produce a personalised a step-by-step emotional distress.
plan, you can use this Example Safety Plan
Many schools and colleges have Mental Health
Support Teams or student well-being services to
provide care and support. Each school and college
will have a Mental Health Lead who can offer you
advice and support.
The Portus Pathway and Toolkit provides important
information to help schools and colleges support
their students most appropriately.
In some situations a young person may not want
their school or college to know about their self-harm
if this is the case the toolkit and pathway can help
you provide initial support and help you find the best
support for the young person through their GP or
Download PDF here through another appropriate person or organisation.
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/portus/files/
self-harm-support-safety-plan-example.pdf If a young person has disclosed that they have
been thinking of suicide speak to the Designated
Safeguarding Lead at their school or college.
The following Link provides excellent online training
session to help you understand the process of If the young person requires an urgent response
developing a safety plan. contact the 24/7 Crisis line 0800 028 8000.
(You will need to register first).
MindEd self-harm online training
VISIT MindEd

Portus - A Safe Space - Guidance on Self-harm and Suicide Prevention for Schools, Colleges and Youth Services.
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