Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify need to use defensive techniques and assess response options.
- Read and follow workplace policies and procedures including workplace health and safety (WHS) to ensure compliance with legal rights and responsibilities when using basic defensive techniques
- Maintain situational awareness and identify threat to safety of self or others.
- Assess response and withdrawal options to prevent escalation and minimise use of force in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements.
- Check personal safety requirements and seek advice or assistance from relevant persons.
- Use interpersonal and communication techniques to defuse conflict.
- Use interpersonal techniques to facilitate information exchange with subject of threat.
- Clarify misunderstandings and uncertainty with subject, using language that reflects sensitivity to individual social and cultural differences.
- Communicate with subject to maintain positive interaction and minimise aggressive behaviour, and to give clear spoken warnings.
- Identify factors that might impact on the safety and security of self and others and apply contingency measures within scope of own competence and authority.
- Apply basic defensive techniques and report outcomes.
- Apply basic defensive techniques to minimise immediate threat following legislative and workplace requirements.
- Monitor subject to anticipate movement and aggressive actions.
- Maintain stance and distance from subject to maximise ability to quickly apply recognised hold techniques, and immediately use lower force options when threat decreases or ceases.
- Request assistance from relevant persons and restrain, secure or escort subject.
- Record details of incident using a notebook in accordance with workplace requirements.