How to access the programme

The SERIOUS programme is for anyone who works with children and young people in the following areas:

• • Liverpool
  • Knowsley
  • Sefton
  • St Helens
  • Wirral

To book a course in your area, visit the local Child Safeguarding Partnership website to view the individual training calendars.

What are the professional benefits in completing the programme?

On completion of the SERIOUS programme, professionals will then have the knowledge and understanding to train members of the children and young people’s workforce to enable them to spot the signs and signs of a young person at risk of suicide and, more importantly, to build confidence in professionals to talk openly with young people about suicide.

This could be anyone who has a professional involvement with children and young people – drivers of school buses, taxi drivers, teachers, learning assistants, social workers, foster carers, care home staff, lunchtime staff and youth workers etc.

Are there any eligibility criteria?

As well as having a good understanding of mental health and safeguarding areas of children and young people’s welfare, we recommend that professionals attending coming on this course have a position in their organisation from which to influence the wider workforce’s approach around mental health. In a school setting, this refers to the setting’s whole school approach to mental health and emotional wellbeing.

A key part of this course is the train-the-trainer CPD element.

School staff delegates should be willing to present a session back at their schools following attendance on the SERIOUS training.