CHCCCS019
Recognise and respond to crisis situations


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge 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.

This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

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

Foundation Skills

The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (such as language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.