Self-Harm Policy. Tick as appropriate: Approved by Pupil Welfare Committee: 5 December Signed by Chair of Committee:

Transcription

1 Self-Harm Policy Tick as appropriate: There has been a change to the previous policy reviewed June 2013 or There has not been a change to the previous policy reviewed June 2013 Approved by Pupil Welfare Committee: 5 December 2013 Signed by Chair of Committee: S McMillan Ratified by the Full Board of Governors on: 26 February 2014 Signed Chair of Governors: Review Date: C turner Within 4 years from above date

2 What is self-injury? Self-injury is a coping mechanism. An individual harms their physical self to deal with emotional pain, or to break feelings of numbness by arousing sensation. Self-injury is any deliberate, non-suicidal behaviour that inflicts physical harm on your body and is aimed at relieving emotional distress. Physical pain is often easier to deal with than emotional pain, because it causes real feelings. Injuries can prove to an individual that their emotional pain is real and valid. Self-injurious behaviour may calm or awaken a person. Yet self-injury only provides a temporary relief, it does not deal with the under-lying issues. Selfinjury can become a natural response to the stresses of day-to-day life and can escalate in frequency and severity. Self-injury can include but is not limited to: cutting, burning, banging and bruising, non-suicidal overdosing and even deliberate bone-breaking. Self-injury is often habitual, chronic and repetitive; self-injury tends to affect people for months and years. People who self-injure usually make an effort to hide their injuries and scars, and are often uncomfortable about discussing their emotional inner or physical outer pain. It can be difficult for young people to seek help, perhaps due to the stigma attached with mental health issues. Self-injury is usually private and personal and is usually hidden from family and friends. Self-harm is a wider definition, that includes eating disorders, self-injury and drug/alcohol misuse. Risk Factors Associated with self-injury Risk factors include, but are not limited to: Low self-esteem Perfectionism Mental health issues, ie, depression and anxiety Problems at home or school Physical, emotional or sexual abuse Poor communication or problem solving skills The onset of a more complicated mental illness, eg, bi-polar disorder, personality disorder or schizophrenia Family factors, eg, unreasonable expectations, neglect or abuse, self-harm in family, poor parental relationships Social factors, eg, difficulty in making relationships, peer rejection or bullying, easy availability of drugs, medication etc. * We must try to remember that none of these risk factors may appear to be present. Physical signs that self-injury may be occurring Obvious cuts, scratches or burns that do not appear of an accidental nature Frequent accidents that cause physical injury 2 of 10

3 Regular bandaged arms and/or wrists Reluctance to take part in physical activity or activities changing clothes Wearing long sleeves and trousers even during hot weather Pulling hair Suicide Although self-injury is non-suicidal behaviour it must be noted that emotional distress that leads to self-injury may also lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. It is therefore vital that all incidents of self-injury are taken seriously and the underlying issues are investigated and appropriate support given in order to minimise further risk. The cycle of self-harm Coping Strategies Negative Emotions (sadness, anger, despair) Tension (inability to control emotions, maybe using dissociation to cope with tension) Self-harm Act (cutting, bruising etc) Positive effects (endorphins released, tension and negative feelings dispelled for short period) Negative Effects (shame and guilt over self-harm act) Replacing the self-harm with safer activities can be a positive way of coping with the tension. Examples of ways to cope include the following: Writing, drawing and talking about feelings Writing a letter expressing feelings, which need not be sent Contacting a friend or family member Ringing a helpline Going to the school field and screaming Hitting a pillow or soft object Listening to loud music Doing some physical exercise Changing your present environment Reading a book Keeping a diary In the longer term, counselling/therapy may be helpful. 3 of 10

4 Roles and Responsibilities Principal Appoint one or more designated key staff to be responsible for all incidents relating to selfinjury Ensure that all designated staff receive full and appropriate training surrounding self-injury and are confident with the procedure to follow Ensure that all staff, including Learning Support Assistants, Technicians and other nonteaching staff are made aware of, and understand, this policy. Governing Body Provide all students with access to information about self-injury and where to get support Decide whether self-injury should be covered in the curriculum or as an extra-curricular presentation Consider parental consent and whether parents/guardians should be invited to learn more about self-injury themselves Consider whether students who do self-harm can wear long sleeves for sport and whether special time out cards could be developed Give advice on what behaviour is acceptable and will not be tolerated (eg, self-harming in front of other students) All staff Remain calm and non-judgemental at all times Avoid dismissing a student s reasons for distress as invalid Encourage students to be open with you and reassure them that you can help get them support if they want it and would like to talk. Endeavour to make the student feel in control by asking them what they would like to happen and what help they feel they need etc DO NOT make promises you cannot keep regarding confidentiality Encourage all students to seek health and happiness in everyday life Provide access to information and resources regarding self-injury and its causes Monitor the reactions of other students who know about the self-injurer Avoid asking the students to stop self-injuring - you may be removing the only coping mechanism they have! Report the matter on a cause for concern sheet to the designated person as soon as you become aware of it! If you find a young person who has self-harmed try and keep calm, give reassurance and follow first aid procedure as outlined in school policy. Designated key staff Ensure the implementation of standard policy, communicate with each other and report back to the Principal at each stage Maintain up-to-date records of students experiencing self-injury, incidents of self-injury and all other concerns surrounding the issue 4 of 10

5 Monitor the help, support and progress of the students in your care and maintain communication with them Contact other organisations and key services within the area and find out what additional support is available Ensure that all first-aiders are well informed regarding self-injury Inform the student s parents if appropriate and liaise with them about how best to manage the situation. Give parents fact sheet on self-harming (Appendix C). Suggest a referral to the GP. Follow up concerns in writing to parents (keep a copy) (Appendix A) Be aware of when it is essential for other professional bodies to be informed eg, social services or educational psychologists. Make sure all conversations are noted - who spoken to? The time? Date? and advice told to follow. Take care of your own emotional well-being and seek personal support when necessary Record all incidents (Appendix B). Students Ensure that all wounds are properly bandaged and cared for correctly Do not display fresh wounds Avoid talking graphically about your injuries to other students or describing the methods you use Never encourage anyone to self-injure themselves If at school and there is an urge to self-injure try to get to a member of staff as soon as possible Be aware that there are designated members of staff there to help you. Endeavour to seek fun and laughter every day If you are worried that a friend may be self-injuring then speak to a member of staff for support and guidance If you are concerned that a friend may be suicidal, or mentioned suicide, then tell a teacher straight away. Parents Understand and endorse your school s self-injury policy Educate yourself regarding self-injury and discuss the subject with your child If your child is self-injuring, work closely with the school and take an active role in what is best for your child Keep the school informed of any incidents outside of school that you think they should be aware of. 5 of 10

6 Appendix A Sample letter to parents. Dear Parent / Guardian Thank you for coming to school to discuss After our recent meeting I am writing to express concern about. s safety and welfare. The recent incident of self-harm (or threat to self-harm) by.. suggests that s/he may need professional help. I recommend that you visit your local GP for advice and help. We will continue to provide support within the school community but would appreciate any information that you feel would help us to do this as effectively as possible. If there is anything else we can do to help please contact me. Yours sincerely 6 of 10

7 Appendix B Sample of incident form to be used when a young person self-harms School The Highcrest Academy Staff Responsible Date: Job Title: Student s Name: Form: Student Age: Student gender: Special Needs: Incident: Date and time of occurrence: Action taken by school: Decision made to contact parents? Recommendations: Follow up 7 of 10

8 STAFF CAUSE FOR CONCERN (CHILD PROTECTION) CONFIDENTIAL RECORDING SHEET NAME OF STUDENT: FORM: DATE: YOUR NAME: CONCERN: Describe your concern, giving clear evidence (this may include comments made by the student concerned or others involved with this student). Please hand the completed sheet to a Designated Person for Child Protection (Clare To whenever possible) SIGNED: continue overleaf if necessary PTO 8 of 10

9 CONT D SIGNED: ACTION TAKE BY OF CP TEAM SIGNED: 9 of 10

10 Appendix C Fact Sheet for Parents/Carers on Self Harm What is Self-Harm? Self harm is any behaviour such as self-cutting, swallowing objects, taking an overdose, hanging or running in front of cars etc where the intent is to deliberately cause harm to oneself. How common is self-harm? Over the last forty years there has been a large increase in the number of young people who harm themselves. A recent large community study found that in year olds, approximately 6.9% of young people had self-harmed in the previous year. Is it just attention seeking? Some people who self-harm have the desire to kill themselves. However, there are many other factors which lead people to self-harm, including a desire to escape, to reduce tension, to express hostility, to make someone feel guilty or to increase caring from others. Why do young people self-harm? All sorts of events can trigger self-harm, for example, arguments with family, failure in exams, bullying. Sometimes several stresses occur in a short period of time and it is the final straw. Young people who have low self-esteem or behavioural problems can be particularly at risk from self-harm. For some people self-harm is a desperate attempt to show others that something is wrong in their lives. Who can help? Your GP Young Minds Parents Information Service Tel: The Samaritans Tel: MIND Infoline Tel: Youth Access Tel: School Health Nurse Health Visitor Information leaflets are also available through: 10 of 10