This full-day course raises awareness of self-harm, ligature risk, and suicide in children and young people. Designed for professionals in education, care, and support settings, it provides practical tools and confidence to recognise warning signs, respond to incidents, and support young people at risk. The training supports safeguarding responsibilities under the Children’s Act and aligns with best practice in mental health and risk management.

Key Learning

• Understand the impact and forms of self-harm
• Identify risk factors, including ligature use and suicidal ideation
• Explore triggers, warning signs, and mental health links
• Learn safe, appropriate responses to incidents
• Gain tools for early intervention, assessment, and reporting

This course is aimed at professionals working directly with children and young people, including in children’s homes, schools, foster care, and youth services. It offers a trauma-informed introduction to the complex issues surrounding self-harm and suicide, helping staff recognise both physical and emotional indicators that a young person may be struggling.

Participants will explore the different types of self-harm, including cutting, burning, and ligature use, and consider the psychological, environmental, and relational factors that may contribute. The training also examines the link between self-harm and suicide risk, how to identify potential warning signs, and the importance of appropriate responses that prioritise safety, respect, and mental health support.

The session includes discussion of incident response, the importance of preserving forensic evidence where relevant, and how to balance safeguarding concerns with a child-centred approach. There is also brief coverage of wider associated risks, including potential indicators of abuse such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

This course supports your responsibilities under Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Children’s Act 2004, and aligns with OFSTED’s focus on mental health, wellbeing, and safeguarding. It is particularly valuable for designated safeguarding leads, residential care workers, teachers, and pastoral staff.

Open course per person           £117
In-house for up to 6 people     £507
In-house for up to 12 people   £539