1.4.3 Self Harming

LONDON CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES

If there are concerns regarding a possible child protection issue please see Section 5.41, Self Harming and Suicidal Behaviour, of the London Child Protection Procedures.

AMENDMENT

This chapter was slightly updated in March 2012 in regard to the Placement Plan being recorded in the Placement Information Record.

Planning and Prevention
Notifications
Recording

1. Planning and Prevention

Self-harming or self-injurious behaviour is the deliberate act of causing harm to oneself, with or without an intention to die.

It can take many forms from scratching to the swallowing of harmful substances and taking overdoses. It can include under-eating or over-eating.

If a child is suspected or found to be self-harming, the strategies that should be taken are those determined by any existing plan; e.g. Care Plan or preferably Placement Plan (recorded in the Placement Information Record) in relation to a Looked After Child.

If no plan or strategy exists, all reasonable measures should be taken to reduce or prevent continuation of the behaviour.

This may include providing additional supervision, confiscation of materials that may be used to self-harm or, as a last resort, using of Physical Intervention or calling for assistance from the emergency services.

If there is any suspicion that the child may be involved in self-harming, a risk assessment must be undertaken with a view to deciding whether a Strategy should be adopted to reduce or prevent the behaviour.

That Strategy should be set out in the form of a plan; e.g. Care Plan or preferably Placement Information Record in relation to a Looked After Child.

If necessary, specialist advice or support should be sought.

2. Notifications

There are different notifications procedures, depending on the seriousness of the self-harming.

2.1 Notifications of Minor or Non-persistent Self Harming

Minor or non persistent self-harming should be notified to the manager/social worker at the first opportunity; the social worker will decide whether to notify the parents.

2.2 Notifications of Serious or Persistent Self Harming

Serious or persistent self-harming is deemed to be an Incident; and must be notified to the manager/social worker as soon as possible, but within 24 hours.

The social worker should decide whether to inform the child’s parent(s).

Depending on the seriousness of the self-harming, other people/agencies may have to be notified.

3. Recording

There are different recording procedures, depending on the seriousness of the self-harming.

3.1 Recording of Minor or Non-persistent Self Harming

Minor or non-persistent self-harming should be recorded on the child’s file, and in relation to children placed in foster care, on the child’s Daily Record.

If first aid or medical treatment is provided, it must be recorded as set out in First Aid, Home Remedies and Prescribed Medicines Procedure

3.2 Recording of Serious or Persistent Self Harming

Incidents of persistent or serious self-harming are deemed to be Incidents, and must be recorded as such.

Please see Incidents - General Guidance, for details of the records that must be completed in the event of an Incident.

All Incidents must be subject to a Management Review. See Incidents - General Guidance for details of conducting Management Reviews.