Understanding and supporting students who self-harm (health centre)
🏷️ From £135
🎧 This session is tailored for school nurses, health centre and wellbeing staff who may encounter students presenting with self-harm and who want to enhance their skills in responding effectively, compassionately, and safely.
📍 Online
✅ Included in BSA CPD Pass
Course outline
Self-harm is a complex and sensitive issue, and school nurses, health centre and wellbeing staff are often among the first professionals to recognise signs of distress or have conversations with young people who may be struggling.
Understanding self-harm requires us to look beyond the behaviour itself, recognising that it can serve different purposes for different young people, while remaining alert to the potential risks and safeguarding responsibilities involved.
This interactive training session, led by Sara Goode, is designed specifically for health and wellbeing professionals working in school and college settings. Through discussion, practical examples and realistic scenarios, participants will explore how to recognise and respond to self-harm with greater understanding, confidence and professional clarity.
The session will consider the influence of language, shame and assumptions on young people’s willingness to seek support, alongside the importance of appropriate assessment, safeguarding procedures, professional boundaries and timely referral.
Participants will develop practical approaches to supportive conversations, recognising the limits of their role and responding in ways that prioritise both emotional safety and physical wellbeing.
Training topics
- Understanding self-harm behaviours: Exploring possible functions, contributing factors, misconceptions and the relationship between self-harm and suicide risk.
- Recognising and broaching suspected self-harm: Identifying possible indicators, opening sensitive conversations and responding appropriately to disclosures.
- Language, shame and professional responses: Understanding how assumptions, judgement and communication can influence trust, disclosure and help-seeking.
- Safeguarding and professional responsibilities: Recognising immediate concerns, understanding confidentiality and information-sharing, documenting concerns, and following appropriate escalation and referral pathways.
- Supporting young people beyond the initial conversation: Exploring collaborative, evidence-informed coping approaches, appropriate safety planning and ongoing support within professional boundaries.
This two-hour interactive online session will include opportunities for discussion, reflection and practical application. The session will not be recorded to encourage open participation and support a confidential learning environment.
This event is joint with:
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