1.9.6 Self Harming

Contents

1. Planning and Prevention
2. The National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales 2008-2013
3. Notifications and Management Review
4. Recording
   
   Appendix 1: Extract from "The National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales 2008-2013"

1. Planning and Prevention

Broadly defined, self-harm refers to the deliberate attempt to physically injure oneself without causing death. This can include self-mutilation (e.g. cutting behaviours), self-poisoning, burning, scalding, banging, and hair-pulling.

Although clearly damaging, alcohol and drugs misuse, eating disorders, unsafe sex and other excessively risky behaviour, such as dangerous driving, are not generally classified as self-harm.

If a child is suspected or found to be self harming, the Strategies that should be taken are those determined by any existing plan, for example, in the child's Placement Plan.

If no plan or strategy exists, all reasonable measures should be taken to reduce or prevent continuation of the behaviour.

This may include providing additional supervision, confiscation of materials that may be used to self harm or, as a Last Resort, use of Physical Intervention or calling for assistance from the emergency services.

If there is any suspicion that the child may be involved in self harming, the social worker must be informed and a risk assessment undertaken with a view to deciding whether a Strategy should be adopted to reduce or prevent the behaviour.  That strategy should be included in the child's Placement Plan.

If necessary, specialist advice or support should be sought.

2. The National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales 2008-2013

The National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales 2008-2013 (Click here to view a copy) os see an extract (Appendix :1 Extract from "The National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales 2008-2013"), clearly emphasises the need to improve reporting, and hence, joining up actions of various organisations and departments through effective notification procedures as and when such a safeguarding issue occurs. 

The action plan only legally pertains to young people placed by Welsh Authorities.  However, it is considered as good practice to implement this policy and procedure for all placed young people, regardless of their origin.

3. Notifications and Management Review

There are different notifications procedures, depending on the seriousness of the self-harming.

3.1 Notifications of Minor or Non Persistent Self Harming

Minor or non persistent self-harming should be notified to the Manager at the first opportunity; the manager will decide whether to inform the relevant social worker.

3.2 Notifications of Serious or Persistent Self Harming

Serious or persistent self-harming is deemed to be an Incident; and must be notified immediately to the Manager and relevant Social Worker within 24 hours or as soon as practicable thereafter. 

The social worker should decide whether to inform the child's parent(s) and, if so, who should do so.

Depending on the seriousness of the Incident, other people/agencies may have to be notified, see Notifiable Events Procedure.

The manager must undertake a Management Review, as set out in Section 5 - Incidents General Guidance.

4. Recording

There are different recording procedures, depending on the seriousness of the self-harming.

4.1 Recording of Minor or Non Persistent Self Harming

Incidents of persistent or serious self-harming must be noted in the home’s Daily Log, child’s Daily Record, and recorded in detail in an Incident Report. 

4.2 Recording of Serious or Persistent Self Harming

Incidents of persistent or serious self-harming must be noted in the home’s Daily Log, child’s daily Record, and recorded in detail in an Incident Report. 

Appendix 1:  Extract from 'A National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales 2008-2013'

Click here to view the whole Action Plan.

A National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self Harm in Wales

Contents
1.	Foreword	page 3
3.	Introduction	page 5
4.	Scope of the Action Plan	page 12
5.	Strategic aim and objectives	page 16
6.	Implementing the Action Plan	page 16
7.	The Seven Objectives of Suicide Prevention	page 18
8.	Bibliography	page 30
Annex A	Related Strategies	page 32

Objective 2: Deliver Early Intervention

To provide early intervention and support to reduce risks factors for suicide.

• To encourage people to seek help when they are experiencing emotional distress or mental illness, self harm or are contemplating suicide. To encourage them to seek help early from people who are close to them or directly from appropriate agencies.
• To develop the range and availability of services offering social and psychological support in universal and specialist services.
• To improve the availability of information about the range of services that can deliver help and the means to access them.
• To improve the identification and management of depression, including postnatal depression, in primary and secondary care
• To improve the identification and risk management of and aftercare for people with a diagnosis of personality disorder
• To improve awareness recognition and treatment of psychiatric illness, mental distress and suicidal ideation in people with chronic physical illnesses
• To improve the prevention and treatment of substance misuse
• To improve prevention of suicide and self harm in prisons and police custody
• To improve specialist and emergency services responsiveness to people identified as having a raised risk of suicide.

Enhancement of psychosocial support services

Supporting actions	Responsible agencies	Lead agency	Implementation date
Expansion of school-based counselling services through the implementation of the national strategy	Welsh Assembly Government local authorities, local health boards, schools	Children and Children and young people's Partnerships	Initial implementation

End