Talent Bank Lunch and Learn – An Introduction to BS 30480 Suicide and the Workplace

Local Government East presents the next session in its Lunch & Learn series, designed to help senior leaders, HR professionals, and managers build confidence and capability around suicide awareness and prevention in the workplace.

This session is aimed at those responsible for workforce wellbeing, leadership, and staff support who want practical guidance for identifying and managing suicide risk, supporting teams, and creating psychologically safe workplaces. Each session delivers actionable outcomes that can be applied immediately within your council.

Session Overview

The publication of BS 30480: Suicide and the Workplace marks a turning point in how UK organisations are expected to prevent and respond to suicide. Most organisations don’t plan for suicide until they have to. HR and senior leaders often describe the moment they receive the news as paralysing: Who do we tell? What do we say? How do we support others while we’re grieving ourselves?

This 60-minute session introduces BS 30480, a new British Standard designed to help organisations:

• Identify and manage suicide risk in the workplace

• Strengthen workplace policy, leadership confidence, and culture around suicide awareness

• Embed clear processes for:

  • Supporting people at risk

  • Providing timely, sensitive support and communication for staff and families following a suicide loss

The session translates the guidance into practical, proportionate approaches that reflect the realities of public service and complex workforces. BS 30480 is guidance, not compliance, offering a flexible framework to support psychologically safe workplaces.

About the Facilitator

The session is facilitated by Anita, a mental health strategist, speaker, and experienced trainer with over 15 years’ experience in suicide prevention. Anita specialises in helping organisations translate evidence and guidance such as BS 30480 into clear, workable workplace practice.

Who should attend

• HR professionals and wellbeing leads

• C-suite leaders and senior managers responsible for workforce wellbeing

• Team leaders and managers supporting staff at risk or following traumatic events

• Officers responsible for policy, organisational culture, or mental health initiatives

Why this session works

• Practical, evidence-based guidance for psychologically safe workplaces

• Builds confidence in leadership, HR, and management around suicide prevention

• Translates BS 30480 guidance into workable, proportionate approaches

• Supports teams and individuals while maintaining focus on organisational delivery

Attendance note: If the session is oversubscribed, participation may be limited to 2–3 representatives per member council.

For queries or further information, please contact:

• Paige O’Connell, Commercial Coordinator – paige.O’Connell@localgoveasteng.gov.uk
• Rachel Heathcock, Specialist Training Manager – rachel.heathcock@localgoveasteng.gov.uk