Building suicide-safer schools and colleges: a guide for teachers and staff

The guide is designed to support schools and colleges to develop their approach to suicide prevention, intervention and response in their setting.

It includes policy templates, signposting templates, conversation starters and practical advice, and outlines which parts of the school community should be responsible for holding different aspects of your setting’s suicide prevention plan.

This guide equips staff with the skills and knowledge to support children and young people who may be having suicidal thoughts, as well as when and where to refer to further specialist support.

It also provides advice on how a school or college community might respond following a bereavement by suicide.

Please note: while this resource is aimed at secondary schools and FE colleges, it is also relevant to primary settings.

Using this resource

This resource is designed for: 

• use by staff in primary, secondary and FE settings
• use by senior staff and leaders