Page 14 - Guidance for Schools, Colleges, and Youth Services :: Portus

www.richmond.gov.uk/portus

Risks and strengths assessment. Dealing with contagion
It is important to ensure that there is a risk When a student is engaged in self-harming
assessment in place which relates to the self- behaviour it is important to be vigilant in case close
harming and or suicidal behaviour, possible triggers, contacts of this individual are also engaging in
and strategies to be used to minimise risk. The similar behaviours. Occasionally, schools/colleges
example Risks and Strengths Assessment is for or residential settings may discover that several
guidance only and should be adapted according to students in the same peer group are harming
individual need. themselves.
Following a risk assessment schools/colleges can Self-harm can be seen as an acceptable way of
refer to the Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention dealing with stress within a peer group and may
Pathway . The Pathway has been developed using increase peer identity. This can cause considerable
a graduated needs-based approach: Getting Advice, anxiety in staff, parents and carers, as well as in other
Getting Help, Getting More Help and Getting Risk students.
Support.

Meetings Advice Students may have different reasons
for their self-harming behaviour and
Be mindful that some of the student’s problems may should be given the opportunity for
arise from issues at home and they may wish for any appropriate one-to-one support.
initial meeting to be on their own. Any meetings with
a student, their parents or their peers regarding self-
harm should be recorded in writing including: In general, it is not advisable to offer regular group
support for students who self-harm. Where there
• Dates and times
appears to be linked behaviour or a local pattern
• Reference to the safety plan emerging, a multi-agency strategy meeting should
• Concerns raised be convened organised through Children’ Services.
• Details of anyone else who has been informed
• Risks and Strengths Assessment This
information should be stored in the student’s
confidential child protection/safeguarding file.

Download PDF here
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/portus/files/
professionals-risk-assessment.pdf

Portus - A Safe Space - Guidance on Self-harm and Suicide Prevention for Schools, Colleges and Youth Services.
14