Tackling the problem of self-harm among children in care

PA 289/13 The problem of self-harm among young people in care is to be tackled as part of a new research project being led by The University of Nottingham. The study will offer 11 to 18 year olds living in either residential care homes or with foster carers and care leavers the chance to speak out about why they self-harm and will attempt to identify any common themes which led them to this behaviour. The project will also aim to highlight services or support which is particularly successful in helping looked-after young people who self-harm in their recovery. The research results will be used in the future to inform the development of improved health and social services. Dr Ellen Townsend , in the University's School of Psychology , is leading the research. She said: "Self-harm is a serious sign of emotional distress and is still relatively poorly understood by academics and clinicians. Significant NHS resources are required to deal with the assessment and management of self-harm.