What schools and further education settings can do

What primary schools can do

Although self-harm is more common in older children, primary schools should still be aware of the signs, and think about early intervention.

Inform your safeguarding team

If a child is self-harming, don’t deal with it alone. Self-harming behaviours should be taken very seriously, so you should follow your school’s safeguarding procedures carefully. Some children will need extra help either through school pastoral/counselling support or through referral to community-based support.

Explore emotions through lessons and programmes

Thoughts can really influence and affect our moods. However, many children may not be aware when this is happening to them. Through effective teaching of RSHE, schools can help children learn about their emotions and learn strategies for regulating them. A number of universal and targeted school-based programmes can also prevent children being overwhelmed by low mood and supports them to learn effective coping skills to manage life’s ups and downs.

Build positive relationships with pupils

Positive relationships in the classroom/school that are built on trust, safety and security promote pupil wellbeing and help children affected by sad or low mood – encouraging them to open up and talk.

What secondary schools and further education settings can do

Don’t deal with it alone

If you discover that a student is self-harming, speak to your safeguarding lead straight away. Then together you can make a plan to support the student.

Consider a specialist referral

If necessary, you may need to refer the young person for outside help – for example from a GP or specialist CAHMS. For advice before making a referral, schools can call their local CAMHS duty line.

Speak up

If you notice self-harming behaviour in a student, talk to them about it. Discuss your concerns with them and listen to them non-judgementally. Then you can create a plan together, which can be shared others in the school community – including the student’s parents/carers, if appropriate.

Speak to the student and involve them in your plan

Speak to the young person about your concerns and let them know what you have observed – once you have spoken with your safeguarding team. Listen to the young person and work together with them to make a plan, and then share this with the appropriate people. Keep the young person updated and involved with the plan continuously, so that they don’t feel that they are being excluded from the process.

Inform parents/carers

The young person’s parents or carers will need to be informed. School staff should not feel that they have to take sole responsibility for supporting the student, a parent/carer may have a better understanding of other factors impacting the young person.

Take a whole-school approach to self-harm

Often young people may know that their friends are self-harming, but may not know what to do about it. Develop a clear way that young people can seek help if they are worried about a friend, and ensuring all students know about this pathway.