Agenda item

This document presents the 2026 BCP 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 on 19^th May 2026, and the resulting feedback has been taken on board in its development.

The Public Health Consultant presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The document presented the 2026 BCP Suicide Prevention Action Plan for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The plan was 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 had been considered by the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 May 2026, and the resulting feedback had been taken on board in its development.

The Board discussed the report, including:

• Members welcomed the report and action plan, noting the importance of suicide prevention as a public health priority and the relevance of the work in light of recent events. 

• Members supported the framework priorities, including actions focused on designing out environmental risk factors through the planning process and promoting responsible media reporting of suicide. 

• A Board Member highlighted the impact of media coverage and social media commentary following recent incidents and emphasised the importance of responsible reporting and public messaging. 

• Members sought further information regarding suicide data for children and young people and highlighted the importance of understanding risk factors affecting specific groups, including care-experienced young people. 

• Members noted the importance of ensuring that support remains accessible to young people, including consideration of the impact of changes to mobile phone use and social media access. 

• The value of maintaining an accurate and up-to-date directory of support services to enable effective signposting for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts was highlighted. 

• The opportunities presented through neighbourhood health approaches to strengthen community connections, reduce loneliness and improve access to support was highlighted. 

• Members emphasised the importance of a strong communications approach to raise awareness, promote available support services and equip people with the information needed to signpost individuals to appropriate help. 

• Officers advised that the action plan included a strong focus on children and young people, workforce development, training, awareness raising and partnership working across the system. 

• The Board noted plans to work with communications teams and partners across the system, including activity linked to World Suicide Prevention Day and the development of further training opportunities for professionals, community organisations and the wider public. 

• Members welcomed discussion regarding training to help build confidence in recognising warning signs, asking direct questions about suicide and signposting individuals to support. 

• Board Members acknowledged the need for continued partnership working across public health, health services, local authorities, the voluntary sector and community organisations to reduce suicide rates across the area. 

Following consideration, the Board decided to include an additional resolution as follows:

That a letter be sent to local media organisations encouraging adherence to good practice guidance on the responsible reporting of suicide. 

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board:

1. Approves 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.
2. Notes the Pan-Dorset Suicide Prevention Framework. This has been co-produced with organisations across Dorset providing a structure for organisational action plans such as this BCP Council Action Plan.
3. 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.
4. Request a letter be sent to local media organisations encouraging adherence to good practice guidance on the responsible reporting of suicide. 

Voting: Nem. Con.