Purpose

This document presents the 2026/27 BCP Council Suicide Prevention Action Plan for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The plan is informed by an evidence-based framework and outlines actions for council colleagues, alongside shared priorities to be delivered through pan-Dorset partnership working.

The draft plan has been considered by the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Health and Wellbeing Board, and the resulting feedback has been taken on board in its development.

Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a.     Approve the BCP Council Suicide Prevention Action Plan as a programme of work to be led by BCP Council officers, with support from partner organisations as needed.

b.     Approve the promotion of suicide prevention training across BCP  Council, encouraging all staff to complete the Zero Suicide Alliance suicide prevention awareness training, alongside a pilot offering practitioners the opportunity to undertake NHS England’s‘ Staying Safe from Suicide’ training, which is focussed on moving from traditional suicide risk prediction and risk stratification (for example, categorising people as low, medium or high risk) towards a person-centred approach focused on safety assessment and support.

c.     Notes the Pan-Dorset Suicide Prevention Framework. This is based on best practice and is hoped to provide a shared structure for work with system partners.

d.     Notes that Dorset system-wide suicide prevention activity is underway, complementing the BCP Action Plan. The system-wide work is jointly led by BCP Public Health and Dorset Healthcare University Hospital Foundation Trust, ensuring a sustained, coordinated approach that strengthens alignment, avoids duplication, and maximises collective impact across the system.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Health and Wellbeing

Reasons

Cabinet to be aware of the work being led by BCP Council officers and for partner organisations to support where appropriate the BCP plan and complementary Dorset wide actions to reduce suicides.