North Yorkshire and York Safeguarding Children Partnership - Multi Agency Protocol for Children and Young People Admitted to an Acute Hospital Trust with Self Harm and/or Suicidal Ideation - Guidance for a Multi-Agency Discharge Plan

Sep 12, 2026

Guidance to support multi-agency practitioners in arranging a safe, timely discharge from acute hospital for children and young people who self-harm and/or have suicidal ideation. The protocol sets expectations that every practitioner takes self-harm or suicide thoughts seriously, offers early help and intervention, and prevents discharge into an unsafe environment. It requires early discharge planning, highlights the need for coordinated multi-agency safeguarding when risks exist, and outlines when a Discharge Planning Meeting should be convened with relevant agencies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Principles

The Discharge Planning Meeting (DPM)

Agency attendance at the DPM

North Yorkshire and York Safeguarding Children Partnership Multi Agency Protocol for Children and Young People Admitted to an Acute Hospital Trust with Self Harm and/ or Suicidal Ideation where there is need for a multi agency discharge plan North Yorkshire and City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership Multi Agency Protocol for Children and Young People Admitted to an Acute Hospital Trust with Self Harm and/ or Suicidal Ideation where there is need for a multi agency discharge plan | Title | Multi Agency Protocol for Children and Young People Admitted to an Acute Hospital Trust with Self Harm and/ or Suicidal Ideation where there is need for a multi-agency discharge plan | | --- | --- | | Version | 1.0 | | Date | 13/12/22 | | Author | Jacqui Hourigan, Designated Nurse Safeguarding and Children in Care VoY CCG & CoY Safeguarding Children Partnership
Elaine Wyllie, Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children
Karen Hedgley, Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children | | Update and Approval Process | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Version | Group/Person | Date | Comments | | 1.0 | CYSCP Safeguarding and Professional Practice (SAPP) SubGroup | 13/12/22 | Baseline version for approval | | 2.0 | CYSCP Safeguarding and Professional Practice (SAPP) SubGroup | 25/01/23 | Updated following feedback | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Issue Date | January 2023 | | --- | --- | | Review Date | January 2023 | | Reviewing Officer | CYSCP and NYSCP Business Unit | 1. Introduction The purpose of this guidance is to support multi-agency practitioners to make appropriate arrangements which support the safe and timely discharge from an acute hospital for children and young people who self-harm and / or have suicidal ideation. The protocol is intended to ensure that all practitioners are clear about the steps to take to ensure that no child is discharged from an acute hospital into an unsafe environment, where their health or well-being may be compromised or where further significant harm could occur. The protocol also aims to ensure there are nounnecessary delays in discharging a child who is otherwise medically fit 1.1 Principles 1. Any child or young person who self-harms or expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide, must be taken seriously. Appropriate help and intervention should be offered at the earliest opportunity. There is a North Yorkshire and York Multi Agency practice guidance to support practitioners in their response to children who self harm or have suicidal ideation. Please note the York practice guidance is currently being produced and the link will be added once it is completed. [https://www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/parents-carers/parents-and-carers-self-harm](https://www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/parents-carers/parents-and-carers-self-harm) and-suicide-ideation/ 2. Discharge planning is an essential part of care management in any hospital setting. It ensures that health and social care systems are proactive in supporting individuals and their families in the community. It needs to start early to anticipate problems, put appropriate support in place and agree service provision. Consideration should be given to the wider environment the child will be returning to, including siblings and other members of the household. 3. Children should not remain in an acute hospital once they are medically fit for discharge. However, it is essential that when a child is in hospital and there are safeguarding concerns about the child, effective multi-agency planning between key professionals working with the child is undertaken before the child is discharged from hospital. 2.0 The Discharge Planning Meeting (DPM) Not all admissions of children and young people who self-harm or have suicidal ideation require a DPM. However, a DPM must be convened whenever there are complexities that require a multi-agency coordinated approach to safely address their needs and discharge from an acute h

FAQs

What is the purpose of this protocol for acute hospital discharge?

It supports multi-agency practitioners to make appropriate arrangements for a safe and timely discharge. It ensures children are not discharged into an unsafe environment where health or well-being may be compromised.

When must a Discharge Planning Meeting (DPM) be convened?

A DPM must be convened when admission complexities require a multi-agency coordinated approach. This includes situations where the child is physically fit for discharge but mental health concerns require coordinated planning for safe discharge.

Who should attend the DPM at a minimum?

Attendance varies, but it should involve Children’s Social Care (if involved), the Lead Clinician or delegate, a member of nursing staff, and a CAMHS practitioner. If needed to inform the case, information from North Yorkshire Police is obtained by Children’s Social Care and attendance is discussed and agreed.

Sep 12, 2026

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