Purpose

To seek approval of the suicide prevention strategy and action plan.  

Decision

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

i)      Approved and adopted the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031 and accompanying action plan, which sets out shared priorities and actions across Northamptonshire alongside specific North Northamptonshire place-based activity to address local need.

ii)    Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Public Health, Communities and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, Health and Leisure, to oversee North Northamptonshire Council's contribution to delivery of the Strategy. The delegated authority included approval of revisions to the live Action Plan throughout the life of the Strategy, provided that any revisions remain consistent with the strategic aims and objectives approved by the Executive.

Reasons for Recommendations:

a)     National Policy and Local Leadership Responsibilities: Suicide prevention is a national priority, with national guidance recommending that local areas maintain a multi-agency suicide prevention strategy and action plan. Through its public health remit, North Northamptonshire Council has an important role in coordinating local action, addressing inequalities and working with partners to reduce suicide and self-harm.

b)     Local Need and Public Health Impact: Suicide and self-harm have significant impacts on individuals, families, communities and public services. This Strategy and Action Plan provided a co-ordinated, evidence-based framework for prevention, intervention and postvention activity. The recommended option was a Northamptonshire-wide, partnership-based approach that is aligned to national priorities, informed by local evidence, and supports targeted place-based action to address local needs, reduces inequalities and responds to emerging risks within North Northamptonshire.

c)     Building on Established Success: The Strategy builds on the achievements of the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2025, including delivery of awareness campaigns, workforce training, enhanced crisis support, strengthened local intelligence through the Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System (RTSSS), and improved multi-agency governance arrangements. The Strategy will build on this progress through a co-ordinated, evidence-based approach to reducing suicide and self-harm over the next five years.

d)     Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes: The Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy supports the delivery of the North Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029 by contributing to the reduction of health inequalities, improving mental health and wellbeing, and providing a coordinated framework to reduce suicide and self-harm and strengthen support for those affected by suicide.

Alternative Options Considered:

Do nothing – This option was not recommended as it would leave Northamptonshire without an agreed strategic framework for co-ordinating multi-agency suicide prevention activity. It would limit the ability of partner organisations to work collectively towards shared priorities, respond to emerging local need and intelligence, and build on the progress achieved through the previous Strategy. Approval of the Strategy supported a coordinated partnership approach to reducing suicide and self-harm and improving support for those affected by suicide.