Use Guidance and Resources to write or refresh your schools self-harm policy and procedures. Don’t forget to update these documents regularly.

• Treat the person with respect, dignity and compassion, with an awareness of cultural sensitivity
• Work collaboratively with the person to ensure that their views are taken into account when making decisions
• Address any immediate physical health needs resulting from the self‑harm, in line with locally agreed policies; if necessary, call 111 or 999 or other external medical support
• Seek advice from a healthcare professional or social care practitioners, which may include referral to a healthcare or mental health service
• Ensure that the person is aware of sources of support such as local NHS urgent mental health helplines, local authority social care services, Samaritans, Combat Stress helpline, NHS111 and Childline, and that people know how to seek help promptly
• Address any safeguarding issues, or refer the person to the correct team for safeguarding.

The following should be established as soon as possible:

• The severity of the injury and how urgently medical treatment is needed
• The person's emotional and mental state, and level of distress
• Whether there is immediate concern about the person's safety
• Whether there are any safeguarding concerns
• Whether the person has a care plan
• If there is a need to refer the person to a specialist mental health service for assessment.

Why not try the harmLESS assessment tool. It provides a series of questions you can ask a young person. How they answer these questions will inform a plan about the type of support they might require.

 

If at the end of this you are still unsure or worried about a young person then phone your local CAMHS team.

Take a look at the resources and support page for details of organisations that may be able to support the young person and people around them.

Resources | Torbay Healthy learning (healthylearningtorbay.co.uk)