Course Curriculum

Course Details

Course Aims

Comprehensive Understanding: Provide school staff and education professionals with a comprehensive understanding of self-harm, its prevalence, underlying causes, and the impact it can have on children and young people.

Early Identification: To equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify signs and signals of self-harm among young people at an early stage, facilitating timely intervention and support.

Reducing Stigma: To challenge and diminish the stigma associated with self-harm, and instead, foster an empathic non-judgmental approach among staff and education professionals.

Promote Open Dialogue: To encourage open and respectful communication between adults, i.e. school staff, parents and students to nurture an environment where concerns regarding self-harm can be addressed openly.

Developing Support Strategies: To enable participants to develop effective support strategies for students engaged in self-harm and to emphasise a holistic approach that considers socio, emotional, mental health, well-being, and related factors.

Course Objectives

On completion of the Understanding Self-Harm training, staff should be able to:

Define Self-Harm: define and understand what constitutes self-harm, as well as recognising its’  various forms.

Early Identification: Identify early warning signs and behaviours associated with self-harm to maximise the effectiveness of timely intervention and support.

Risk Assess: Conduct thorough risk assessments to evaluate the severity and potential risks associated with self-harming behaviours.

Develop Empathy: Promote empathy towards students engaging in self-harm, fostering an understanding of the emotional and psychological struggles they may be experiencing.

Communication Skills: Develop advanced communication skills to reassure, encourage engagement with young people who may be self-harming with sensitivity and care. encouraging them to open up about their experiences.

Multi Agency Working: Establish effective alliances with other agencies as well as establish referral mechanisms to further sources of help to provide comprehensive care.

Create Conditions for Growth: Maintain safe and confidential spaces within education settings where children and young people feel comfortable discussing self-harm-related concerns.

Education: Develop strategies for educating students and peers about self-harm, reducing stigma, and promoting a supportive culture within the school community.

Home/School Partnerships: Involve parents and guardians in collaborative strategies to support young people dealing with self-harm, fostering a home/school partnership.

Policy Development: Contribute to the development of school policies and procedures that address self-harm, ensuring a consistent and compassionate approach across the educational institution.

Continuous Personal and Professional Development: Encourage and support ongoing learning and professional development to stay updated on the latest research, interventions, and best practices related to self-harm.