Before retirement, I undertook two research projects focusing on how the phenomenon of deliberate self-harm is perceived, understood and responded to in educational institutions. The first project focused on young people of secondary school age, and included interviews with staff in schools, pupil referral units, a secure unit for young offenders and supporting agencies. The second was a case study of support for students who self-harm in a university in the Greater London area.

Selected Papers

Best, R [2009]: ‘Students who self-harm: A case-study of prevalence, awareness and response in an English university’. Pastoral Care in Education, 27(3), 165-203.

R.Best [2007]: ‘Deliberate self-harm; findings from a study in an English university’. The Skill Journal, 89, 19-24

R Best [2006]: Deliberate Self-Harm in Adolescence: an Educational Response. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 34(2), 161-175.

R Best [2005]: ‘An Educational Response to Deliberate Self-Harm: Training, Support and School-Agency Links’. Journal of Social Work Practice. 19(3). Pp. 277-289.

R Best [2005]: ‘Self Harm: a Challenge for Pastoral Care’, Pastoral Care in Education, 23(3), pp. 3-11.

For a full list of my publications, see my CV