Self-harm strategy and action plan 2023-2027: outcomes framework

Part 6: Reporting

The proposed reporting plan for the Strategy is as follows:

• A mid-point report will be undertaken by Scottish Government and COSLA.

Scheduled for Summer 2025.

• An end-point report and review of the whole Strategy and Action Plan will be undertaken by Scottish Government and COSLA.

Scheduled for Winter 2026/2027.

The reports will be compiled from evidence gathered from sources listed in Annex A and will include a narrative on how we are progressing towards each of the outcomes and vision. In addition to these reports, regular updates will be provided to the Self-Harm Action Plan Implementation (SHAPE) Group, the Data and Evidence Group, and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board, relating to our work to deliver the Self-Harm Action Plan, and Strategic Action 4.2 of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan.

Reporting Structure

Oversight of the strategy and our progress towards delivering the outcomes and vision will sit with the Scottish Government and COSLA’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board. Advice on progress and ongoing prioritisation will be provided by both the Data and Evidence Group and the SHAPE Group.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board

The purpose of the Leadership Board is to support and oversee the delivery of the ten priorities in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and related actions set out in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan, which includes the delivery of the Self-Harm Strategy. The Board is jointly chaired by the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and the COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care. Membership includes representation from a range of Scottish Government portfolio areas, Local Government, NHS Boards, Integrated Joint Boards (IJBs) and the third sector. The Board has direct access to advice from key groups, including the Equality and Human Rights Forum and the Diverse Experiences Advisory Panel.

Ensuring activity which delivers the Strategy’s vision, outcomes and principles, such as tackling the social determinants of mental health and health inequalities, is aligned with our work on self-harm and will bring added value and avoid duplication. The Leadership Board will meet three times a year and receive regular updates on progress of the strategy. The Leadership Board will operate in an open and transparent way. The Terms of Reference, reports, membership and minutes of meetings will be published on the Scottish Government’s website.

The SHAPE Group

The SHAPE group was established in April 2024 to help guide implementation of the Self-Harm Action Plan. The group is made up of people with lived and living experience of self-harm, and a range of organisations that support people directly, including but not limited to SHNS, NHS, See Me, NSPCC, Parentline, LBGT Health and Wellbeing and The Equality Network. The SHAPE group’s role is to ensure that the implementation of the action plan adequately considers the lived experience of people who self-harm and their loved ones, and will seek input from other equality groups where necessary. All reports on the progress towards achieving the outcomes will be cleared by the SHAPE Group prior to submission to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board and publication.

The Data and Evidence Group

The Data and Evidence Group was established in 2022 to provide clinical, academic and analytical expertise to development of the Self-Harm Strategy. This group continue to provide insights on the implementation of the action plan, as well as delivering on a number of actions within the action plan. The expertise of this group will ensure that new and emerging data and evidence relating to self-harm is considered as part of our work, and will also provide guidance on monitoring outcomes. All reports on the progress towards achieving the outcomes will be cleared by the Data and Evidence Group prior to submission to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board and publication.