What are we trying to do?
To improve how social workers assess and manage self-harm in children in care, by embedding evidence-based practice in decision-making and processes.

 

Why is this important?

• Children in care are at greater risk of self-harm.
• The number of children self-harming is increasing; alongside higher numbers of children being looked after.
• The assessment and management of self-harm in children in care is an under-researched area.
• In 2022 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated guidelines to improve the care and treatment of people (including children) who self-harm. However, we know that professionals’ awareness of national guidelines can be low, leading to low implementation of evidence-based practices.

 

How are we doing it?
We are conducting a large-scale online survey with social workers who have worked with children in care who self-harm, to determine their awareness and implementation of the NICE guidelines on self-harm, and their capabilities, opportunities and motivation to use the guidelines.

 

We are also conducting semi-structured interviews with children’s social workers and social work students to understand the facilitators and barriers to implementing the guidelines with children in care who self-harm.

 

The findings will be used to co-produce intervention(s) with social workers and children in care to improve assessment and support for children in care who self-harm.

 

Who are we working with?

• Children in Care
• Children’s Social workers
• Social Work Advisor Panel
• Self-Harm and Suicide Lived Experience Group

 

More information

 

 

 

Programme Manager

Gill Rizzello
gill.rizzello@manchester.ac.uk