Self Harm Policy NEW Sept 2018

FAGLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL
SELF HARM POLICY
This Policy is supported by the Mental Health in Schools Strategy Group and should be
read in conjunction with existing safeguarding policies.
Purpose
In keeping with the school’s values, vision and aims, this protocol aims to address the
issue of self-harm.
 How to deal with students who self-harm and how to offer support in the short
and long term.
 To offer support depending upon the individual needs of the student.
 To help students improve their self-esteem and emotional literacy.
 How to support teachers who come into contact with students who self-harm.
 How to prevent self-harm from spreading within the school.
 To have clear guidelines for staff – who needs to be informed, when do parents
and external agencies need to be contacted.
 Education about self-harm for students and staff.
Who and What was Consulted?

 The Mental Health in Schools Strategy Group
 Teaching and managerial staff from schools
 Voluntary organization
 Young people
 Existing policies related to safeguarding and self-harm.
 Staff training
What is Self-Harm?
 Self-harm is when someone deliberately hurts or injures themselves.
 It is a continuum ranging from a behaviour which has strong suicidal intent to
behaviour which is part of a coping mechanism.
 It can be used to describe cutting, scratching, burning, taking overdoses, punching
oneself, substance abuse, self-poisoning, unsafe sex etc.
Common Problems Preceding Self-Harm
 Difficulties with parents / boy or girlfriends / siblings / friends.
 School problems / bullying
 Mental health issues e.g. depression, eating disorders.
 Low self esteem
 Sexual problems
 Physical ill health
 Alcohol / drug abuse
 Physical / sexual abuse
Possible Reasons / Motives Underlying Self-Harm

 To die
 To escape from unbearable distress
 To change the behaviour of others
 To show desperation to others
 To get back at other people or make them feel guilty
 To relieve tension
 To seek help
Support
 Contact Safeguarding Leaders, Carol Blythe or the Mental Health Champion
(Melissa Bain), for a leaflet on further information on self-harm or just for a
chat.
Roles and Responsibilities of Management Staff and Teachers

 Appoint a designated person to be responsible for self-harm issues. This could be
the safe guarding lead (Carol Blythe) or the Mental Health Champion.
 Ensure that the designated teacher receives appropriate training about self-
harm.
 Ensure that the self-harm protocol is followed by all members of staff (concerns
form).
 Ensure that self-harm education/awareness is in the school curriculum, e.g. school
assemblies and that such awareness does not promote of stigmatise self-harm
(PHSE lessons)
 Consider provisions for students who do self-harm, e.g. long sleeved uniforms and
PE kits, time out cards from lessons when a student is experiencing distress.
All Staff and Teachers are expected to:

 Listen to students who are experiencing emotional distress in a calm and non-
judgemental way.
 Think carefully about how to communicate with the child.
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Understand that the child probably can’t tell you why they did it or what they are
feeling. They need adults to make sense of these difficult and overwhelming
times.
 Report the self-harm incident to the designated staff member immediately and
report the incident on CPOMS. Need to be clear of the timescale in which this
should be done.
 Do not make promises e.g. assuring confidentiality which cannot be kept. Reassure
the student that in order to receive help and find more helpful ways to cope with
problems others may need to know.
 Guide the student towards wanting to make positive changes.
 Promote problem-solving techniques and non-harmful ways to deal with emotional
distress.
 Provide accurate information about self-harming and awareness about associated
mental health problems.
 Be aware of health and safety issues such as first aid if the incident has occurred
in school.
 When a child behaves in a way which fits the definition of self-harm follow the
the Self Harm Flow Chart.
The Designated Staff Member Will:

 Keep accurate records of incidents of self-harm and concerns.
 Liaise with local services about help available for young people who self-harm.
 Keep up-to-date information about self-harm, e.g. info leaflets from Young Minds.
 Liaise with the student’s teacher or Headteacher.
 Contact the parents at the appropriate time. Involve the student in this process.
Inform the parent about the appropriate help and support that is available for
their child. Monitor the student’s progress, e.g. school work, general presentation,
following the incident.
 Know when to seek help to deal with their own feelings and distress.
Students Will Be Expected To:

 Not display open wounds/injuries. These must be dressed appropriately.
 Talk to the appropriate staff member if they are in emotional distress.
 Alert a teacher if they suspect a fellow pupil of being suicidal or at serious risk of
harm to themselves, and know when confidentiality must be broken.
Parents Will Be Encouraged To:

 Endorse the schools approach to dealing with self-harm and education/awareness
raising.
 Work in partnership with the school with a shared plan for supporting their child.
 Ask for help with their own emotions.
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 Seek professional help offered by the school and outside agencies.
 Use resources available through school, or through recommended websites such
as: mentalhealthmattersinschools.org.uk
Further information is available from:

 ChildLine – provides a free national helpline for young people, free confidential
advice on a range of problems: 0800 1111
 LifeSIGNS (Self Injury Guidance and Network Support) – An online, user-lead
voluntary organisation to raise awareness about self-injury and provide
information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury.
 National Self-harm Network - UK charity offering support, advice and advocacy
services to people affected by self harm directly or in a care role.
 YoungMinds – provides information and advice on child metal health issues and a
Parents Helpline 0800 802 5544.
 NHS Direct – a helpline with health advice provided provided by NHS nurses:
0845 4647
 Samaritans – a telephone helpline and email service for anyone who is feeling
upset, worried or suicidal: 0845 790 9090 email: [email protected]
 School nurses – Schools can also contact and consult with their designated school
nurses to consider making a referral to CAMHS.
 First Response – provides support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of
all ages: 01274 221181
Drafted Ratified by Governing Body Planned date of review

May 2015 July 2015 July 2018
Print name Signature Date

Head Teacher C Parfitt C Parfitt July 2015
On behalf of
Governing Body R Curtis R Curtis July 2015

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FAGLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL

SELF HARM POLICY

Who and What was Consulted?

Possible Reasons / Motives Underlying Self-Harm

Roles and Responsibilities of Management Staff and Teachers

All Staff and Teachers are expected to:

The Designated Staff Member Will:

Students Will Be Expected To:

Parents Will Be Encouraged To:

Further information is available from:

Drafted Ratified by Governing Body Planned date of review

Print name Signature Date

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