Investing in Care: Why Self-Harm Awareness Training Matters

 At Timeout Children's Homes, our primary commitment is to create a safe, supportive, and understanding environment for every young person in our care. Fulfilling this promise requires continuous learning and a dedication to equipping our team with the best possible skills. That is why we were thrilled to welcome renowned self-harm awareness trainer, Satveer Nijjar, to our Head Office for a comprehensive training program.

This week marked the first of our four intensive training days for our staff, from our dedicated carers to our clinical team. This initiative represents a significant investment in our team's ability to provide empathetic, informed, and effective support. Understanding the complexities of self-harm is crucial to fostering an atmosphere of trust and safety where young people feel seen and heard.

Who is Satveer Nijjar? A Leader in Mental Health Education

Satveer Nijjar brings a powerful combination of personal experience, academic rigor, and professional expertise to her training. Her journey in mental health advocacy began in 2006 when she became a national steering group member with the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In this role, she used her personal insights to help shape and improve national guidelines for responding to self-harm.

Her dedication to the field is also reflected in her academic achievements. Satveer graduated with First-Class Honors in Psychology in 2012, and her dissertation on the intersection of self-harm and cultural influences earned her the prestigious Bernice McAuley Memorial Prize. This deep academic grounding provides a solid foundation for her practical training methods.

For over a decade, Satveer has built a successful training organization, delivering CPD-accredited self-harm awareness courses to thousands. In 2024 alone, she has empowered approximately 25,000 people with the knowledge and confidence to support those who self-harm. Her programs are highly regarded for being practical, accessible, and creating a lasting positive impact on both individuals and organizations across the UK.

The Impact of Empathetic, Skills-Based Training

The goal of this training is not just to inform, but to transform. Satveer’s approach empowers participants with a deeper understanding of why self-harm occurs. It provides tangible skills to offer effective support without judgment. By building this capacity within our team, we are actively working to reduce stigma and create safer spaces for everyone.

This training equips our staff to navigate sensitive situations with confidence and compassion. It helps them recognise the signs of distress, understand the underlying emotional pain, and respond in a way that promotes healing and connection. This proactive and supportive approach is fundamental to the care we provide at Timeout Children's Homes.

A core part of Satveer's work is challenging the fear and silence that so often surround mental health struggles. She shared her personal mission with us, highlighting the importance of open dialogue.

“My passion is to deliver training that builds knowledge, confidence and understanding of a topic that still holds a lot of stigma and fear. This is done by creating a training environment where delegates feel comfortable to engage and delivering content in a relatable, transferable manner. The student sessions I deliver are about bringing conversations that people often avoid due to discomfort or fear, to the forefront. Talking about mental ill health, self-harm and suicide shouldn’t be feared, as this adds to stigma and shame. The sessions are about making young people not only seek support for themselves but become the generation who can have these conversations.”

This philosophy aligns perfectly with our values at Timeout Children's Homes. We believe that open and honest communication is the first step toward breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where young people feel safe enough to seek help.

Looking Forward: Building a More Supportive Future

The first day of training has already had a profound impact on our team, sparking important conversations and reinforcing our shared commitment to the well-being of the young people we support. We are incredibly grateful for Satveer’s expertise and her ability to handle such a sensitive topic with skill and empathy.

We are eagerly looking forward to the next three training days. This ongoing professional development is more than just a series of workshops; it is a vital part of our pledge to provide the highest standard of care. By investing in our staff's knowledge and confidence, we are investing in the future of every young person who walks through our doors.

This initiative strengthens our organisation from the inside out. It ensures our team is not only prepared to handle challenges but is also empowered to become advocates for mental health, helping to end stigma one conversation at a time.