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Listen
Preventing Suicide and Deliberate Self Harm
Laying the Foundations: Identifying Practice Examples
Project Report
9. Barnardos 16Plus Project, Edinburgh
Target Group
The project supports young people aged 15
1/
2 - 21.
Issues
Some people who use the project have self-harmed in the past as a coping mechanism. This may then evolve into taking drink and drugs, and the subsequent alcohol and drug problem may, in reality, be to do with self-harm.
Many of the young people who use the project have experienced sexual abuse.
Services/approach
Social work cases will sometimes be closed, so Barnardos may be the main agency working with a person. It is important that the project is not a social work agency - they can offer a different type of service with more intensive support. They also have a different image, which can be important for young people.
The philosophy at the project is to work holistically, as it is often not possible to separate practical tasks such as getting a job from support for emotional issues. The idea is to help people link in with other services as the workers at the project don't expect to have the knowledge and expertise to offer in-depth support on every issue that may arise for someone. The team doesn't undertake formal therapeutic work, so will refer someone on to another service if they need counselling.
The project supports young people by undertaking individual and group work, as well as helping them link in with other agencies. The project worker will establish a good working relationship with the person - explain procedures, and try and build a rapport. Many young people who use the project have had negative experiences and it may take a while for them to trust someone. The project is able to build up an in-depth relationship with a client, and can provide support on a long-term basis.
Support can be practical - for example, if someone is homeless and has no social worker, they may help them to obtain housing through the Housing Department Access Point.
The project also provides emotional support - a lot of work with people is around helping them develop self-esteem and self-confidence. This is often about building a good relationship with people and seeing what helps make them tick. The project helps people build on their competencies and to use problem solving skills, as self-esteem can't be developed in a vacuum. The project will also give people feedback on their achievements. The aim to be consistent - the project will be there for someone when things have not gone as intended, and will help the person work out what went wrong.
The project holds regular reviews with clients. They look at how they think they have developed and on what areas they feel they still need support. The idea is to help people take charge of their own issues.
The project also operates a drop-in session. Issues such as self-harm come up, and discussions may be held on behaviour around self-harm, and the boundaries around displaying self-harm within the project. For some people who self-harm, self-harming becomes their identity. This may mean that services that are based around harm reduction may not succeed.
The project has a policy on dealing with suicidal behaviour. They sometimes see young people desperate for psychiatric input, but it is often difficult to obtain psychiatric support. Young people also sometimes experience anxiety around being labelled as someone who uses the local psychiatric hospital Young People's Unit. There is sometimes a difficulty in motivating people to go to their GP as a result of this. The young person may then miss out on potential treatment, putting them in a vulnerable position.
The project encourages people who have experienced sexual abuse to get additional support. However, there are not enough support services, particularly for young men who have experienced abuse. Young men are also more difficult to engage. There is also a gap in local services around youth counselling in general, and the structure and services offered by mainstream adult services are inappropriate for young people. There is also a shortage of residential places offering therapeutic support.
Key features
For further information, contact:
Rona Gray, Project Manager
Barnardos 16 Plus Project
22 Broughton Place
Edinburgh
Tel 0131 558 3033
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