Reading List

Official guidance and public-facing resources that support the course. Use them for supervision, policy review, refresher learning and partnership working. The list groups England guidance with devolved nation signposting so staff can match shared frontline principles to local crisis and safeguarding routes.

England core guidance

• NICE NG225: Self-harm - assessment, management and preventing recurrence
  NICE guideline covering compassionate care, assessment, management and follow-up for self-harm across ages.
• NICE NG225 recommendations
  Direct access to the guideline recommendations on immediate care, psychosocial assessment, safe management and ongoing support after self-harm.
• NICE NG205: Looked-after children and young people
  Guidance on relationships, mental health, transitions and support for looked-after children and young people, including residential settings.
• Children's homes regulations, including quality standards: guide
  Official guide to the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, with requirements on protection, health, leadership, care planning and staff response.
• NHS: Self-harm
  Public-facing NHS information on self-harm, signs, urgent help and support options.

Wales signposting

• Understanding: a suicide prevention and self-harm strategy
  Welsh Government strategy on suicide prevention and self-harm, including provisions for children and young people and wider support routes in Wales.

Scotland signposting

• Scotland's Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan 2023-27
  Sets out Scotland's approach to compassionate support, stigma reduction and actions for higher-risk groups, including care-experienced children and young people.
• NHS inform: Self-harm
  Public guidance for Scotland on recognising self-harm, getting support and urgent help routes.

Northern Ireland signposting

• Protect Life 2 - Suicide Prevention Strategy
  Northern Ireland strategy on suicide prevention and self-harm across settings and age groups.
• HSC Public Health Agency: Caring for someone who has self-harmed or had suicidal thoughts
  Guidance for people caring for someone after self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

For day-to-day practice, follow the child's current safety plan and your home's emergency procedure first. Consult these official sources for wider guidance as needed.