Responding to self-harm and suicide risk in young people — what self-harm communicates, how it relates to suicidality, warning signs, asking directly and listening well, what never to do, immediate responses to risk, co-produced safety plans, the services and helplines that help, aftercare for the whole house including supported living, and looking after staff.
What this course covers
- Understand self-harm as communication and coping, never as attention-seeking
- Explain how self-harm and suicidality relate — linked, not the same, both serious
- Recognise warning signs and ask directly and safely about suicide
- Respond to immediate risk calmly and escalate without delay
- Contribute to co-produced safety plans and support the aftermath well
How much does Self-Harm & Suicide Awareness training cost?
£4 per person on Care2Learn, with no minimum order and no subscription. If your team needs a full training matrix rather than one course, a subscription at £2 per learner per month covers every course in the catalogue — see the 2026 price comparison.
Who needs it
Everyone working directly with young people — children's homes, supported accommodation, supported living — plus the seniors who lead on safety planning. No prior mental health training is assumed. Completion is recorded with the date taken and the date it is next due, so it appears correctly on your training matrix and can be evidenced at inspection.
What the learner receives
A certificate in their own name carrying the CPD Aligned seal, showing the completion date and the renewal date a year later, downloadable at any time. The record belongs to the learner, not just the employer — it travels with them rather than sitting in one provider's system.
Related courses
Providers usually assign these alongside Self-Harm & Suicide Awareness.
- Trauma-Informed Practice & ACEs — 45 min online, £4 per person
- Mental Health Awareness — 45 min online, £4 per person
- Risk Assessment & Safety Planning with Young People — 40 min online, £4 per person
- Effective Key Working with Young People — 45 min online, £4 per person
You can also browse the full catalogue, or read about the Care Certificate for staff new to care.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Self-Harm & Suicide Awareness training take?
About 45 min of e‑learning, across 12 sections with 15 assessment questions. Learners can stop and resume at any point, and it works on a phone.
What does Self-Harm & Suicide Awareness training cover?
By the end of the course a learner should be able to understand self-harm as communication and coping, never as attention-seeking; explain how self-harm and suicidality relate — linked, not the same, both serious; recognise warning signs and ask directly and safely about suicide. The full list of learning outcomes is set out above.
Is Self-Harm & Suicide Awareness CPD Aligned, and how is it assessed?
Yes — the certificate carries the CPD Aligned seal. The assessment is multiple choice with a pass mark of 70%; attempts are recorded and learners can retake it. Renewal is set at 12 months from the completion date, so the course reappears on your training matrix when it is due.
Does the course describe self-harm methods?
No — it is deliberately method-free, following safe-messaging guidance. It focuses on what self-harm communicates, warning signs, asking directly and listening well, immediate responses to risk, co-produced safety plans, and the services and crisis lines to involve — including Samaritans, Papyrus HOPELINE247 and Shout.
Does this count towards the Care Certificate?
No — this is a standalone course rather than one of the Care Certificate standards. The Care Certificate is available as its own guided course for staff who are new to care.
Add Self-Harm & Suicide Awareness to your team
£4 per person, or included on a £2 per learner subscription.
Get started