Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 21, 2026

Purpose:

Content: 9.1 The Strategic Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning submitted a report requesting that the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to adopt and endorse the Sheffield Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2030. Building on our previous suicide prevention strategy, it sets out a multi-agency approach to reducing deaths by suicide in the city. The strategy can be found attached as Appendix A of the report.   The five-year strategy has an overarching vision, eight strategic priorities and a delivery plan which will be refreshed annually. Its eight strategic priorities, which closely align with those of the recent Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023-2028.     9.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) adopts and endorse the Sheffield Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2030, as detailed in the report now submitted; and   (b) notes the content of the strategy and this report.     9.3 Reasons for Decision     9.3.1 Suicide is preventable. Building on our previous suicide prevention strategy, the Sheffield Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2030 sets out a multi-agency approach to reducing deaths by suicide in the city.     9.3.2 The adoption, endorsement and implementation of this refreshed strategy will further embed suicide prevention as a shared responsibility and ensure there is continued coordinated action to prevent suicide in Sheffield.     9.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     9.4.1 Alternative option 1: Do nothing This option was rejected. While there is no specific statutory duty on local authorities to produce a suicide prevention strategy, there is a clear expectation from the Department of Health and Social Care that each local area develops and maintains a suicide prevention action plan. This expectation is reinforced in national guidance, including the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023–2028. Adopting and implementing this local strategy ensures that Sheffield meets these expectations and demonstrates its continued commitment to reducing deaths by suicide. It also aligns with the Council’s broader statutory duties under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to improve the health and wellbeing of its residents.     9.4.2 Alternative option 2: Isolated agency approaches This option was rejected. This option would involve individual services or sectors developing their own approaches to suicide prevention in the absence of a coordinated, city-wide strategy and delivery plan. Whilst well-intentioned actions may still occur, this fragmented approach risks duplication, inefficiencies and gaps in support - particularly for groups of particular concern.   This option has been rejected because effective suicide prevention requires a coordinated, multi-agency response. The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023 to 2028 makes clear that “preventing suicide requires collaboration across all parts of society, including national and local government, the NHS, public health, education, employers, the voluntary and community sector and others.” The national strategy specifically calls for multi-agency partnerships at the local level to ensure shared accountability and joined-up action across health, care, education, policing, and community services.   Maintaining a local, strategic, multi-agency delivery plan - such as the Sheffield Suicide Prevention Strategy and its associated governance - ensures alignment with these national expectations and maximises the impact of suicide prevention work in the city.