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Self-HarmPolicy
March2017–V1.0
Introduction
RecentresearchindicatesthatuptooneintenyoungpeopleintheUKengageinself-harmingbehaviours,
andthatthisfigureishigheramongstspecificpopulations,includingyoungpeoplewithspecialeducational
needs.Tutorsandstaffcanplayanimportantroleinpreventingself-harmandalsoinsupportingstudents,
peersandparentsofstudentscurrentlyengaginginself-harm.
Scope
This document describes Winchmore Tutors (WT) approach to self-harm. This policy is intended as
guidanceforallstaffandtutorsincludingnon-teachingstaff.
Aims
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Toincreaseunderstandingandawarenessofself-harm
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Toalertstaffandtutorstowarningsignsandriskfactors
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Toprovidesupporttostaffandtutorsdealingwithstudentswhoself-harm
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Toprovidesupporttostudentswhoself-harmandtheirpeersandparents/carers
DefinitionofSelf-Harm
Self-harmisanybehaviourwheretheintentistodeliberatelycauseharmtoone’sownbodyforexample:
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Cutting,scratching,scrapingorpickingskin
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Swallowinginedibleobjects
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Takinganoverdoseofprescriptionornon-prescriptiondrugs
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Swallowinghazardousmaterialsorsubstances
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Burningorscalding
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Hair-pulling
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Bangingorhittingtheheadorotherpartsofthebody
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Scouringorscrubbingthebodyexcessively
RiskFactors
Thefollowingriskfactors,particularlyincombination,maymakeayoungpersonparticularlyvulnerableto
self-harm:
IndividualFactors:
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Depression/anxiety
Poorcommunicationskills
Lowself-esteem
Poorproblem-solvingskills
Hopelessness
Impulsivity
Drugoralcoholabuse
Self-HarmPolicy
March2017–V1.0
FamilyFactors:
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Unreasonableexpectations
Neglectorphysical,sexualoremotionalabuse
Poorparentalrelationshipsandarguments
Depression,self-harmorsuicideinthefamily
SocialFactors
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Difficultyinmakingrelationships/loneliness
Beingbulliedorrejectedbypeers
WarningSigns
WT staff and tutors may become aware of warning signs which indicate a student is experiencing
difficultiesthatmayleadtothoughtsofself-harmorsuicide.Thesewarningsignsshouldalwaysbetaken
seriouslyandstaffortutorsobservinganyofthesewarningsignsshouldseekfurtheradvicefromoneof
theWTDesignatedChildProtectionOfficers.
Possiblewarningsignsinclude:
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Changesineating/sleepinghabits(e.g.studentmayappearoverlytiredifnotsleepingwell)
Increasedisolationfromfriendsorfamily,becomingsociallywithdrawn
Changesinactivityandmoode.g.moreaggressiveorintrovertedthanusual
Loweringofacademicachievement
Talkingorjokingaboutself-harmorsuicide
Abusingdrugsoralcohol
Expressingfeelingsoffailure,uselessnessorlossofhope
Changesinclothinge.g.becomingagoth
Staffandtutorrolesinworkingwithstudentswhoself-harm
Students may choose to confide in a member staff or a tutor if they are concerned about their own
welfare,orthatofapeer.Staffandtutorsmayexperiencearangeoffeelingsinresponsetoself-harmina
student such as anger, sadness, shock, disbelief, guilt, helplessness, disgust and rejection. However, in
ordertoofferthebestpossiblehelptostudentsitisimportanttotryandmaintainasupportiveandopen
attitude–astudentwhohaschosentodiscusstheirconcernswithamemberofstaffortutorisshowinga
considerableamountofcourageandtrust.
Students need to be made aware that it may not be possible for staff or tutors to offer complete
confidentiality. If you consider a student is at serious risk of harming themselves then confidentiality
cannot be kept. It is important not to make promises of confidentiality that cannot be kept, even if a
studentputspressureonyoutodoso.
Anymemberofstaffortutorwhoisawareofastudentengaginginorsuspectedtobeatriskofengaging
inself-harmshouldconsulttheDesignatedChildProtectionOfficer,ortheDeputyChildProtectionOfficer
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Self-HarmPolicy
March2017–V1.0
Following the report, the designated person will decide on the appropriate course of action. This may
include:
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Contactingparents/carers
Arrangingprofessionalassistancee.g.doctor,nurse,socialservices
Arranginganappointmentwithacounsellor
Immediatelyremovingthestudentfromlessonsiftheirremainingintuitionislikelytocausefurther
distresstothemselvesortheirpeers
Inthecaseofanacutelydistressedstudent,theimmediatesafetyofthestudentisparamountand
anadultshouldremainwiththestudentatalltimes
Ifastudenthasself-harmedintuition,afirstaidershouldbecalledforimmediatehelp
FurtherConsiderations
Anymeetingswithastudent,theirparentsortheirpeersregardingself-harmshouldberecordedinwriting
including:
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Datesandtimes
Anactionplan
Concernsraised
Detailsofanyoneelsewhohasbeeninformed
ThisinformationwillberecordedinWT’sSafeguardingincidentfile.
Itisimportanttoencouragestudentstoletyouknowifoneoftheirgroupisintrouble,upsetorshowing
signsofself-harming.Friendscanworryaboutbetrayingconfidencessotheyneedtoknowthatself-harm
canbeverydangerousandthatbyseekinghelpandadviceforafriendtheyaretakingresponsibleaction&
beingagoodfriend.Theyshouldalsobeawarethattheirfriendwillbetreatedinacaringandsupportive
manner.
Thepeergroupofayoungpersonwhoself-harmsmayvaluetheopportunitytotalktoamemberofstaff
ortutoreitherindividuallyorinasmallgroup.Anymemberofstaffortutorswishingforfurtheradviceon
thisshouldconsulttheDesignatedChildProtectionOfficer.
Whenayoungpersonisself-harmingitisimportanttobevigilantincaseclosecontactswiththeindividual
arealsoself-harming.Occasionallyschoolsdiscoverthatanumberofstudentsinthesamepeergroupare
harmingthemselves.
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