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The Parent Toolkit:
Understanding & Supporting Young People who are Self-Harming
A 5-week interactive online programme to build confidence, understanding, and connection.
Supporting a young person who is self-harming can feel frightening, isolating and overwhelming. Many parents describe feeling unsure how to respond, worried they will “make things worse,” or exhausted from carrying the emotional load alone.
Our Parent Toolkit has been created to give parents and carers the knowledge, confidence and practical tools they need to support their young person safely and compassionately — and to feel supported themselves.
This evidence-based programme has grown out of our highly successful in-person course, which has been widely praised by parents and professionals alike. Parents tell us the programme has helped them to feel more confident, more connected, and better able to cope with difficult situations, leading to warmer, more open relationships with their young people.
The Benefits for You and Your Family
Greater understanding of why self-harm happens and what your young person is experiencing
More confidence in responding calmly and safely during difficult moments
Clear insight into the needs behind your young person’s behaviour
Practical tools that help reduce crisis moments and break unhelpful cycles
Stronger, more open communication and connection within your family
A supportive community of other parents and carers who truly understand what you’re going through
A personalised toolkit tailored to your family’s unique situation
Unlike large webinars where only a few voices can be heard, this is a fully interactive, face-to-face online programme, intentionally kept small so every parent is seen, heard and supported.
Our facilitators bring a unique blend of professional qualifications and lived experience, creating a safe, empathetic and knowledgeable space.
Together, we build a community where parents can feel less alone, share wisdom, and draw strength from others who truly understand.
Why Choose This Programme?
Your sessions will be led by two experienced facilitators who bring a combination of:
Professional training and expertise
Lived experience of supporting young people
Years of group facilitation and parent support
A compassionate, steady and non-judgemental approach
Who Will Be Supporting You
Is This Programme Right for You?
This programme is designed for parents and carers who:
Are worried about self-harm or early signs of self-harm
Want to respond with confidence rather than fear
Want practical tools they can use immediately
Feel alone or unsure how to help
Want to build connection and communication with their young person
Want guidance grounded in evidence, lived experience and compassion
What Parents Say
What We’ll Cover Each Week
What We’ll Cover Each Week
In this session we explore common myths and facts, develop a shared understanding of what self-harm is (and isn’t), and begin reflecting on our own young people by creating a gentle “profile” to build on throughout the programme.
Session 1 – Making Sense of Self-Harm
Session 2 – Understanding the Function of Self-Harm
In this session we explore what sits behind self-harming behaviours, looking at triggers, emotional drivers and the needs a young person may be trying to meet. We build on the profile from Session 1 to deepen our understanding of each young person’s unique experiences.
Session 3 – Interupting the Cycle of Self-Harm
In this session we focus on practical, evidence-informed tools that can safely interrupt the self-harm cycle without removing the behaviour in a way that increases risk. Together, we explore strategies that help young people feel safer, more regulated, and more able to choose alternatives.
In this session we explore how to talk with young people about difficult topics in ways that reduce shame and strengthen trust. We practise communication approaches that help young people feel heard, supported and understood.
Session 4 – Communication & Connection
Session 5 – Filling Our Own Pot – Self-Care & Support
Our final session focuses on you as the parent or carer. We explore the importance of your own wellbeing, identify ways to stay steady and supported, and share signposting and follow-up options. We also bring together everything from the last five weeks to complete your personalised toolkit.
What Makes This Programme Unique
Small groups (maximum of 8 parents)
Fully interactive — this is not a webinar
Live, 2-hour sessions led by facilitators
Personalised support throughout
Evidence-informed tools you can use immediately
A unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience
A supportive community of parents who truly understand
A full toolkit, created with you and tailored to your family
How It Works
1. Choose the course dates that work for you
We run several small-group cohorts throughout the year. Simply pick the start date that suits your schedule and book your place. Each cohort has a maximum of eight parents to ensure plenty of time for discussion and support.
2. Attend your 1:1 pre-programme call
Before the course begins, you’ll have a short call with one of our facilitators. This helps us understand your situation, make sure the programme is the right fit, and tailor the sessions to the needs of your group.
3. Join the weekly live sessions on Microsoft Teams
Each week, you’ll take part in a fully interactive, 2-hour online session (not pre-recorded). You’ll learn practical tools, participate in guided activities, and connect with other parents in a safe, supportive space.
4. Build your personalised toolkit over the 5 weeks
Throughout the programme, you’ll develop a practical, personalised toolkit that you can continue using long after the course ends that is tailored to your young person, your family, and your situation.
Our Parent Toolkit runs in small groups of up to 8 parents, with multiple cohorts across the year.
Our next Parent Toolkit cohorts begin on:
Wednesday January 28th
9.30am - 11.30am GMT
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Course dates are:
Wednesday 28th January 2026
Wednesday 4thFeburary 2026
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Wednesday 4th March 2026
All sessions take place between 9.30 and 11.30am GMT
Join the Waiting List
If you can’t make the current dates, or the cohort you want is full, you can join our waiting list.
You’ll be the first to hear when new start dates are released, and we prioritise waiting list members when allocating spaces.
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
If you feel this programme could help, we would love to support you.
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Price for the Full 5-Week Journey
£250 per participant
This fee includes:
Five live, interactive, 2-hour sessions (not pre-recorded)
1:1 pre-programme call to understand your situation
Personalised toolkit developed by you across the five weeks
Resources and handouts
Access to facilitators between sessions
If the cost is a barrier, please reach out — we want this programme to be accessible to any parent who needs it.
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Have more questions? We’re here to help.
FAQs
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No. To protect the privacy of all participants, none of the sessions are recorded. This ensures the group remains a safe, confidential and interactive space.
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It is ideal to attend all five sessions, as each week builds on the last and the programme works best as a complete journey. However, we understand that life happens. Please note that we are unable to offer refunds for unattended sessions.
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We don’t offer catch-up sessions, as the programme is fully interactive and not recorded. If you do miss a week, you are welcome to re-join the following session and continue with the group.
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You will need a device that can run Microsoft Teams — ideally a laptop or computer, or a phone/tablet on a stand. A stable internet connection and a quiet, private space are important to protect your privacy and the confidentiality of the group.
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No — we do not promise to stop self-harm, and we do not give instructions that could increase risk. Self-harm is a coping strategy that serves an underlying need, and removing it without understanding that need can sometimes make things worse. Instead, we offer evidence-informed guidance and tools to help you support your young person safely, build connection, and introduce safer alternatives over time.
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The programme draws on research and best practice around the functions of self-harm, emotional regulation, trauma-informed approaches, harm-reduction principles, communication strategies and co-production. It is parent-friendly, practical and grounded in approaches shown to support both young people and the adults caring for them.
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You are welcome to take a break at any time, simply step away from the call and let us know via the chat. If needed, a facilitator can arrange a brief 1:1 check-in after the session to offer support before the next week.
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No. This is not therapy and is not a substitute for clinical intervention. It is a supportive, educational programme designed to build understanding, confidence and practical skills for parents and carers.
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Before the course begins, you will have a short individual call with one of our facilitators. This helps us understand your situation, make sure the programme is right for you, explore any accessibility needs, and tailor the sessions to the group’s experiences.
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The programme fee is per individual, not per household. This helps us keep group sizes small so that everyone has enough space to contribute, reflect and receive support.
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Please contact us. We want the programme to be accessible, and we are always happy to discuss options.
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No. Only your first name will be shared within the group. No contact details or identifying information are shared with other participants.
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Yes. Our facilitators actively support emotional safety, maintain boundaries, and encourage sharing in ways that feel comfortable and appropriate. You will never be pressured to talk about anything you are not ready to share.
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We follow Oxfordshire Discovery College’s safeguarding policy. If a concern arises, a facilitator will speak with you privately and follow the appropriate steps to keep you and your young person safe.
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We are unable to offer refunds, but we can usually transfer your booking to a future cohort. In exceptional circumstances, we may discuss options on a case-by-case basis.
