Suicide prevention training provided to frontline social workers within your local authority

I would like to request the following information regarding suicide prevention training provided to frontline social workers within your local authority.

Please provide the following information in relation to the training arrangements currently in place as of 1 October 2026:

1. Whether frontline social workers working with children and families are required to complete suicide prevention training and, if so, which roles or groups of staff are required to complete it.

2. Whether this training is mandatory, and how frequently it must be completed or refreshed.

3. Whether the training includes practical guidance on identifying suicide risk, asking about suicidal thoughts, assessing or escalating concerns, safety planning, and responding to a person who may be at risk of suicide.

4. Whether any additional or enhanced suicide prevention training is provided to certain teams or managers.

5. Where held, the name and provider of the training, and whether it is delivered online, face-to-face, or through a blended model, including whether it involves any interactive or practice-based elements such as scenarios, role-play or skills rehearsal.

I am particularly interested in training applicable to Children's Services social workers who work directly with parents and carers, rather than training available only to specialist mental health teams.

1. Whether frontline social workers working with children and families are required to complete suicide prevention training and, if so, which roles or groups of staff are required to complete it.

All LCC staff are required to complete suicide prevention training, and frontline social workers are required to complete further training.

2. Whether this training is mandatory, and how frequently it must be completed or refreshed.

The Zero Suicide Alliance training is mandatory and needs to be refreshed every 2 years for all LCC staff. Frontline social workers follow a more in-depth Safeguarding training plan so the refresh period can vary with other training completed and is based on service needs and requirements.

As part of stage 2 of the safeguarding training pathway all frontline social workers and those working with children and families must complete; Self Harm e-learning, Suicidal Thoughts e learning and Building Resilient Foundations virtual workshop.

3. Whether the training includes practical guidance on identifying suicide risk, asking about suicidal thoughts, assessing or escalating concerns, safety planning, and responding to a person who may be at risk of suicide.

Training available through LSCP

Zero suicide Alliance eLearning covers:

• suicide risk factors

• suicide warning signs

• coached scenarios sharing approaches for how you can talk to someone you’re worried about

• videos from people sharing real experiences

• where to find information about available support

Virtual College - Suicidal Thoughts eLearning:

See Attached Image

Suicide Prevention Training provides essential safeguarding knowledge to anyone working with vulnerable people. From adults to children, this course covers all age groups, addressing all the key symptoms of poor mental wellbeing.

Provides awareness to identify key symptoms of poor mental wellbeing, learn more about individuals who may be at greater risk, and support victims.

With interactive scenarios, real-world case studies, and engaging assessments to solidify your understanding of the material.

Virtual College - Self- Harm eLearning:

• Define self-harm and describe its different forms

• Recognise the risk factors and identify those who are most at risk

• Describe the cycle of self-harm

• Outline the indicators that someone might be self-harming

• Describe how to support someone who is self-harming

• Explain how to respond to someone who has engaged in self-harm, or could be at risk of self-harming

• Outline the two main theories of self-harm – the Early Maladaptive Schema Theory and the Diathesis Stress Model

• List the medications available to someone who self-harms

• Describe the various forms of therapy that can support those who self-harm

LPFT/LSCP - MHST/Healthy Minds – Self-Harm Awareness eLearning (is targeted at education sector, but accessible to all):

• What is Self-Harm

• Types of Self Harm

• Cycle of Self Harm

• Safety Planning

• What can schools do

• Grounding and Breathing techniques

Includes Interactive Quiz at end of short eLearning

LPFT/LSCP - Building Resilient Foundations Virtual Workshop (Teams):

Promotion of wellbeing and understanding of Mental Health support – suicide prevention

• Emotional wellbeing

• Resilience

• Relational Practice

• Trauma Informed approaches

• Practical approaches to support

• Regulation

• Cycle of self-harm

• Exploring risk, including serious harm and suicide

• Safety Planning

• Support services available in Lincolnshire

Interactive discussion, reflective questions and group exercise focusing on case study, discussion around three case studies, including themes of self-esteem, isolation, and suicidal thoughts.

4. Whether any additional or enhanced suicide prevention training is provided to certain teams or managers. Additional suicide prevention training is sourced and provided to the service as and when a training need is identified.

For example, in October 2024 a session on Suicide First Aid and Intervention was delivered by Shine Lincolnshire to a range of staff members from across Children’s Services. The learning outcomes were as follows:

• Gain the knowledge and skills needed to identify children and young people (CYP) who may be thinking about suicide.

• Build confidence through practise to competently facilitate a Suicide First Aid intervention.

5. Where held, the name and provider of the training, and whether it is delivered online, face to-face, or through a blended model, including whether it involves any interactive or practice based elements such as scenarios, role-play or skills rehearsal.

Available through free LSCP training offer, accessible on Enable platform. Providers include:

• Zero Suicide Alliance

• Virtual College

• LPFT – Healthy Minds team

• LSCP

Delivery methods and description of activities Included above in course descriptions.