A partnership working under the direction of the Children’s Trust Board provides a number of support services for children who self-harm.

They range from prevention work in schools to specialist support from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams work closely with A&E departments at BRI and Airedale to provide assessments for vulnerable children and young people who go to A&E.

Individual care plans are developed and, where possible, treatment will continue in, or as close as is possible, to a child or young person’s home.

School nurses and CAMHS specialists also work closely to provide support for children and young people at the earlier stages of distress.

Mark Vaughan, service manager at Bradford District Care Trust, said: “Recognising the signs and educating other professionals and parents can greatly assist young people who are struggling emotionally.

“Our education programme supports our school nurses to provide opportunities for children and young people to talk about the issues affecting them.”

Kath Tunstall, Bradford Council’s strategic director of children’s services, said: “Any case of self-harm is of concern to all agencies as well as to the young people's families.”