Self-harm is how some children / young people cope with difficult and distressing feelings.

Self-harm is a response to heightened emotional distress and can include anything that causes an intentional injury but can also be about taking intentional risks. It can also involve using alcohol or drugs excessively – though many children / young people do not see this as self-harm. Recognising these behaviours can be as important as those that are obvious such as cutting.

A safety plan should be made / updated with the child / young person. The focus is on reducing harm and increasing coping techniques.

Making a safety plan should be led by the child / young person. It is a structured and proactive way to plan a range of activities and support that can be used at the right time to help prevent or manage a developing crisis. Ideally it should include staff, adults and parents/carers, and should consider the actions associated with the behaviour and how best to reduce and manage their safety.

It may be the first time the child / young person considers and acknowledges these risks. It allows discussion between the member of staff and the child / young person whilst the emphasis of the work should be on how the child / young person is coping.

The plan should establish the means of self-harm and recognise the triggers and warning signs of increased distress, further self-harm or a suicidal crisis.

The plan should be in a written/pictorial format appropriate for the age, level of comprehension, and maturity of the child / young person – this can be, for example, on a card or pamphlet, and importantly both the staff member and child / young person should have a copy. If consent is given it should also be shared with family or carers that have been identified.

It should also contain details of any other universal or specialist services staff the child / young person might be seeing.

Safety planning should be seen as part of the overall care, crisis and contingency planning.