How to conduct a self-harm risk assessment

← Back to Self-Harm Professional Resource Hub home page

A risk assessment can help professionals to identify, understand and evaluate a child or young person’s potential risk of self-harm. It supports safeguarding, mental health assessment and care planning. 

What does a risk assessment involve? 

A risk assessment collects information about a child or young person’s thoughts, behaviours, triggers and circumstances to determine the likelihood of self-harm, and what level of support is needed. These can include: 

• Description of self-harm behaviours
• Risk factors like trauma, neurodiversity or health conditions
• Behavioural risks like suicidal thoughts, previous attempts or substance abuse
• Times, places or situations where the risk of self-harm increases
• Triggers or distressing circumstances surrounding self-harm
• Relationships with family, peers and professionals
• Other key professionals or services involved in their care, e.g. local authority
• Any protective factors like trusted adults, supportive friends or positive interests
• Warning signs that their risk of self-harming might be increasing
• Strategies that can help to keep them safe

A risk assessment should be completed collaboratively with the child or young person when this is appropriate. Below is an example of a risk assessment template that can be downloaded and adapted as needed.

Other strategies and resources

← Back to Self-Harm Professional Resource Hub home page