CHCCCS019 Recognise and Respond to Crisis Situations
Overview
This module will focus on working effectively with clients at risk or in crisis. You will learn how to recognise signs of current or imminent crisis, how to work collaboratively with clients to address and minimise any safety concerns, how to facilitate access to required support services, and how to follow up with clients and plan for your own self-care.
Trigger Warning
This module may include content that deals with sensitive and emotionally challenging topics. Some of the topics covered in this course may include trauma, abuse, addiction, mental health issues, and relationship difficulties. These topics may evoke strong emotions, memories, or reactions in some learners. It is important to prioritise your own self-care and seek support as needed.
Introduction
Unit overview and outcomes - CHCCCS019 Recognise and Respond to Crisis Situations
SECTION 1: Crisis and Key Considerations
In this first section, you will be introduced to crisis and a range of risk issues that counsellors must be aware of in order to recognise and respond to crisis situations effectively. You will also learn to consider legal and ethical requirements and personal values, beliefs, and attitudes that will influence how you respond to various safety concerns.
SECTION 2: Recognise and Respond to Crisis
This section explores the processes involved in recognising and assessing potential safety concerns, particularly suicide and DFV. You will learn how to use your knowledge and questioning skills to observe the client and clarify potential safety issues. You will also learn the basics of risk identification, assessment, and response, to guide your work when a client is at risk.
SECTION 3: Safety Planning and Referral
This topic extends your understanding from the previous section, focussing on two vital processes to support a client in crisis: safety planning and referral. You will learn to engage clients in a collaborative and empowering manner in identifying safety strategies and making informed choices about further help.
SECTION 4: Counsellor Self-Care
Providing support to clients in crisis can be a draining experience for counsellors. Therefore, this module concludes with a section outlining the concept of counsellor self-care and the importance of support seeking, including how to appropriately utilise supervision and debriefing.
Unit Title
CHCCCS019 – Recognise and respond to crisis situations
Unit Purpose
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services.
Prerequisites
There are no pre-requisites for this unit
Resources/Readings
Readings A – H are located at the end of this module.
Suggested Hours
Although everyone will work at their own pace, we suggest you allow approximately 45 hours to complete this unit competently, including seminars, tutorials, assignments and any practical activities.
Timeframe
The recommended time frame for this unit is 4 weeks.
Assessment
This unit will be assessed by completing the CHCCCS019 Assessments and an associated practical component.
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
| Element | Performance Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify imminent crisis situations |
1.1 Recognise and respond to signs indicating that there may be safety issues for people 1.2 Consider indicators from direct and indirect communications that suggest the presence of safety issues 1.3 Ask directly about safety issues whenever there are grounds for concern, and take immediate action based on organisation’s procedures |
| 2. Address immediate safety concerns |
2.1 Listen empathetically to details of current crisis situation 2.2 Affirm and strengthen links to safety and living 2.3 Provide structure and strategies for dealing with the immediate crisis through enabling thoughts and behaviours 2.4 Balance collaboration and direction according to the person’s current capacity for decision-making and coping 2.5 Identify and agree actions to reduce immediate danger and risk to others, including mobilisation of emergency assistance as required 2.6 Confirm that actions are legal, ethical, consistent with organisation policy and meet duty of care requirements 2.7 Seek advice or assistance from supervisor as required |
| 3. Provide referral for crisis intervention support |
3.1 Empower person to make informed choices about further help 3.2 Explore possible barriers to seeking or accepting help and develop responses 3.3 Develop a plan with the individual that includes agreed first steps to access and use informal supports and professional help 3.4 Refer to appropriate professionals as required 3.5 Complete and maintain accurate documentation |
| 4.Care for self |
4.1 Recognise and minimise risks to self-associated with crisis support 4.2 Identify and respond to the need for supervision and debriefing |
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
- Legal and ethical consideration relevant to recognising and responding to crisis situations including:
- Duty of care
- Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
- Work role boundaries, responsibilities and limitations
- Mandatory reporting
- Codes of practice
- Organisation policies and procedures for responding to crisis situations
- Types of crisis situations, including:
- Potential suicide
- Threats to harm others
- Self-harm
- Received threats
- Abuse, including child abuse
- Domestic and family violence
- Common indicators or signs of crisis in other people
- Personal values, beliefs and attitudes that facilitate or impede crisis care:
- Assumptions about who may be at risk
- Common notions about crisis situations
- Principles and practices of crisis intervention:
- Critical incident procedures
- Facilitating emergency interventions
- Addressing safety concerns
- Referral options and procedures for accessing services
- Principles and practices of self-care and supervision
Performance Evidence
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
- Been involved in crisis intervention activities on at least 3 occasions.
