6 Nov 2025
New prototype framework puts patients at the centre of safety planning for adults experiencing suicidality or self-harm
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New prototype framework puts patients at the centre of safety planning for adults experiencing suicidality or self-harm
New research has evidenced the need to move towards a more collaborative approach to safety planning and risk-assessments for adults who are experiencing suicidality or self-harm.
The study, published in Health Expectations, involved listening exercises with adults who had lived experience of suicidality or self-harm, alongside workshops with practitioners across healthcare, emergency services, and other organisations.
Participants with lived experience voiced frustration with impersonal approaches, and advocated for plans that were developed collaboratively through meaningful dialogue – and which recognised individual needs, preferences and circumstances.
The work has led to the development of a prototype framework to support practitioners to develop personalised safety plans (PSP), and the prototype is now being refined into an interactive toolkit for practitioners in a new study lead by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust.
The framework was co-produced with the study participants, which means it has been shaped by people with lived experience of suicidality as well as those who may be involved in safety planning in their professional or caring role.
The project has been co-led by Katherine McGleenan from the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Katherine is a mental health nurse, with more than 20 years of experience in supporting adults experiencing suicidality.
Katherine said: “This study shows that people find safety planning more meaningful when it is personalised. This is in-line with the current UK suicide and self-harm prevention guidance.
“Participants in the study told us that true collaboration and active listening are key.
“By developing a framework and guidance for practitioners, which focuses on the personalisation of safety planning, rather than the safety planning tool itself, practitioners will hopefully be supported to work in a more person-centred way.
“However, if this approach is to be effective, practitioners need to be supported to work in more personalised and collaborative ways.”
A framework built on human connection
The Personalised Safety Planning framework has two core pillars: personalisation and process.
It focuses on the interactions between the practitioner and the individual, and the context, skills and values needed to personalise the safety planning process. It also emphasises the importance of human interaction and active listening – which can help the person to feel heard and supported.
The framework also highlights the importance of practitioner skills like demonstrating compassion, non-judgmental listening, and trauma-informed care.
The research defines several key elements for effective personalised safety planning, including:
- Co-create plans with individuals, not for them
- Involve family and friends meaningfully, when appropriate
- Tailor the format and timing of plans to each person’s needs
- Ensure plans are reviewed and updated regularly
- Share plans thoughtfully across support networks.
Addressing barriers in the health and care system
Barriers to implementation of the PSP were also explored in the study.
One key barrier was the need for practitioners to balance organisational needs and processes with a more personalised approach.
Katherine McGleenan added: “An individualised approach to suicide prevention is already recognised as best-practice within the Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear (CNTW) Foundation Trust and in national guidance. These new findings reinforce the need to move in this direction.”
The study was funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC).
You can read more about the background to this work, here.
Following this work, the project team secured NIHR Research for Patient Benefit funding to refine this prototype personalised safety planning framework into an interactive toolkit for use in different health and social care settings.