If it is disclosed to the school that a student is self-harming

The student will be seen by the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Designated Mental Health Lead in school together with a member of the pastoral team or other suitable member of staff except where parents or carers inform the school and provide information.

If the students is expressing suicidal ideation or is in imminent danger of causing themselves significant harm, parents or carers will be called and advised to take the child to Accident & Emergency.  In extreme cases an ambulance may be called.  In these cases, the school is required to make a referral to MASH.

Where the self-harm does not cause concern for the student's immediate welfare, the Head of Year will contact the child's parents or carers and advise them to make a GP appointment.  Parents and carers will be advised to take their child to Accident & Emergency if they have immediate concerns.  Further support such as meeting with the Academy Designated Mental Health Lead or a referral to the Academy Counselling support or a direct referral to CAHMS will be discussed with the parents and carers.

Current advice is that children should be referred to MASH if the self-harm could lead to possible death, if it could originate from a Child Protection issue or if the current plan of support is proving ineffective.

The Pastoral Teams, Wellbeing Teams and P.S.H.E. Teams will:

• Promote problem-solving techniques and non-harmful ways to deal with emotional distress including through referral to the Wellbeing Team and Designated Mental Health Lead
• Provide space for students to begin to learn how to cope with emotional pain
• Enable students to find places for help and support
• Provide accurate information about self-injury
• Refer concerns when people other than parents or carers (e.g. Social Workers, Educational Psychologists) need to be informed
• Keep records of concern and contact made with parents and carers and any external agencies 

Students will be advised:

• Not to display open wounds / injuries.  These should be dressed appropriately.
• To talk to the appropriate member of staff if they are in emotional distress.
• To alert a teacher if they suspect another student is self-harming or at serious risk of harm to themselves, and know when confidentiality must be broken.