Empowering Young People Through Structured Self-Care

Supporting young people in managing their mental health and emotional wellbeing is vital. The Self-Care Safety Planning Booklet provides a structured, trauma-informed tool to help young people develop coping strategies, build resilience, and navigate emotional crises. This free resource is particularly helpful for those with SEMH needs, anxiety, ADHD, or neurodivergence.

This booklet offers both young people and practitioners a safe and effective way to navigate emotional challenges and crises.

Example Pages

This bespoke resource has been co-created with input from young people, mental health professionals, and educational practitioners.

Its purpose is to help young people understand and manage their emotions, stay safe during times of distress, and reflect on strategies that support their mental well-being.

Personalised Coping Strategies: Includes grounding exercises, sensory-based mindfulness activities, and safe alternatives to self-harm that meet a range of learning styles and sensory needs. Practical Tools for Crisis Management: Clear, simple techniques such as the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method and distraction ideas that help reduce self-harm incidents. Empowering and Reflective Content: Encourages self-reflection through activities, affirmations, and positive self-talk, promoting autonomy and resilience. Inclusive and Accessible Design: Features an A4 layout and uses the OpenDyslexia font to improve readability—adjusted based on direct feedback from young people.

• Supports Ethical Practice: Helps practitioners maintain safeguarding clarity, promote young people’s rights, and uphold reflective and trauma-informed approaches.
• Demonstrates Impact: Feedback indicates improved emotional regulation and a reduction in self-harm, supporting practitioners in demonstrating measurable outcomes in their work.

Why is it Beneficial for Young People?

• Helps them manage emotional overwhelm and crises independently.
• Builds emotional literacy, self-confidence, and self-advocacy.
   
• Creates a personalised toolkit they can return to whenever needed.
• Promotes peer support and shared understanding among young people facing similar challenges.

Impact and Outcomes

Since its introduction, the Self-Care Safety Planning Booklet has supported young people in building emotional resilience, reducing harm, and feeling empowered to engage with support networks.

It fosters positive relationships between young people and practitioners and contributes to more inclusive, youth-led, and reflective practice in education and youth work settings.

This booklet isn’t just a resource—it’s a lifeline for young people navigating emotional difficulty, offering practical support, personalised strategies, and a sense of hope.