Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide

Formats and tools

Unit Description
Reconstruct the unit from the xml and display it as an HTML page.
Assessment Tool
an assessor resource that builds a framework for writing an assessment tool
Assessment Template
generate a spreadsheet for marking this unit in a classroom environment. Put student names in the top row and check them off as they demonstrate competenece for each of the unit's elements and performance criteria.
Assessment Matrix
a slightly different format than the assessment template. A spreadsheet with unit names, elements and performance criteria in separate columns. Put assessment names in column headings to track which performance criteria each one covers. Good for ensuring that you've covered every one of the performance criteria with your assessment instrument (all assessement tools together).
Wiki Markup
mark up the unit in a wiki markup codes, ready to copy and paste into a wiki page. The output will work in most wikis but is designed to work particularly well as a Wikiversity learning project.
Evidence Guide
create an evidence guide for workplace assessment and RPL applicants
Competency Mapping Template
Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners. A template for developing assessments for a unit, which will help you to create valid, fair and reliable assessments for the unit, ready to give to trainers and students
Observation Checklist
create an observation checklist for workplace assessment and RPL applicants. This is similar to the evidence guide above, but a little shorter and friendlier on your printer. You will also need to create a seperate Assessor Marking Guide for guidelines on gathering evidence and a list of key points for each activity observed using the unit's range statement, required skills and evidence required (see the unit's html page for details)

Self Assessment Survey
A form for students to assess thier current skill levels against each of the unit's performance criteria. Cut and paste into a web document or print and distribute in hard copy.
Moodle Outcomes
Create a csv file of the unit's performance criteria to import into a moodle course as outcomes, ready to associate with each of your assignments. Here's a quick 'how to' for importing these into moodle 2.x
Registered Training Organisations
Trying to find someone to train or assess you? This link lists all the RTOs that are currently registered to deliver CHCCS521A, 'Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide'.
Google Links
links to google searches, with filtering in place to maximise the usefulness of the returned results
Books
Reference books for 'Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide' on fishpond.com.au. This online store has a huge range of books, pretty reasonable prices, free delivery in Australia *and* they give a small commission to ntisthis.com for every purchase, so go nuts :)


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify and assess the person's current suicide risk

1.1 Recognise and respond to signs, (such as statements, reactions, thoughts, feelings or behaviours) indicating that a person may be considering suicide

1.2 Attend to any hunches, while listening as a helper, perhaps from indirect communications, that suggest the client may be considering suicide

1.3 Ask directly about thoughts of suicide whenever there are grounds for concern

If suicide thoughts are present:

1.4 Seek sufficient understanding of why the person is considering suicide, and what links them to life, to inform and facilitate the intervention

1.5 Assess current suicide risk guided by risk assessment considerations outlined in the Range Statement and by whether there is an imminent threat to the person's safety or the safety of others

1.6 Follow steps outlined in elements 2, 3 and 4.

If the person indicates s/he is not thinking of suicide and no suicidal intent, plans, or behaviour are evident:

1.7 Work collaboratively with the person to provide support and facilitate access to further care as needed - guided by elements 3 and 4

1.8 Remain vigilant about any emerging indications of suicidality, prompting careful risk assessment and safe management as outlined in elements 1 and 2

2. Work actively with the person to reduce the immediate risk of suicide and increase safety

2.1 Build a collaborative empathic relationship with person at risk that acknowledges how thoughts of suicide and the pain behind them may affect their safety

2.2 Listen to what lies behind any thoughts of suicide while affirming and strengthening links to safety and living implicit in the helping relationship

2.3 Work with person at risk to develop and follow through on a safety plan that reduces immediate danger of self-harm, risk of suicidal behaviour and/or suicide and mobilises access to emergency medical help when needed

2.4 Manage intervention in ways that address and reduce any risk of harm to caregivers and others potentially at risk in the situation and remain mindful of circumstances where the police may need to be involved to address safety

2.5 Seek and act on advice from workplace supervisor to ensure action taken is lawful, complies with good suicide intervention practice and organisation policies consistent with that practice, ethical processes and duty of care obligations

2.6 Address occupational health and safety (OHS) obligations in relation to managing self and others

2.7 Refer to health professionals where appropriate

3. Facilitate and strengthen the individual's links to further care

Having worked with the person to take any steps needed to address immediate safety:

3.1 Encourage and enable capacity of person at risk and/or in crisis to make informed choices about further help that deals with their suicidality and associated needs for ongoing care

3.2 Acknowledge how the current helping relationship has provided foundations for further care

3.3 Explore and seek to understand and address any barriers to seeking or accepting help

3.4 Develop, with the individual, a plan and agreed first steps, to access and utilise informal supports and professional help

4. Provide further intervention support to resource the individual beyond immediate crisis

When or if it is assessed that there is no imminent risk that needs to be immediately addressed:

4.1 Maintain open rapport with individual to encourage discussion of on-going concerns related to their situation generally and any suicide risk - focusing on what most needs attention now

4.2 Affirm person's decision to seek and accept help to keep safe and address their concerns

4.3 Review how and with whom they might seek help in future to keep safe and/or get support

4.4 Support individual to develop coping strategies (both internal and external) which prepare them to safely manage any recurrence of suicidal thoughts

4.5 Identify mental health concerns or personal circumstances (such as depression, trauma, substance misuse or significant losses) that need addressing and facilitate access to appropriate help

4.6 Ensure supports and coping strategies developed are documented and communicated as necessary to other members of work team

4.7 Comply with all laws, relevant ethical guidelines and policy requirements that affect duty of care


Qualifications and Skillsets

CHCCS521A appears in the following qualifications:

  • CHC40408 - Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work
  • CHC41308 - Certificate IV in Children's Contact Services Work
  • CHC52008 - Diploma of Community Services (Case management)
  • CHC41908 - Certificate IV in Youth Justice
  • CHC42208 - Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills
  • CHC41808 - Certificate IV in Youth Work
  • CHC40708 - Certificate IV in Community Services Work
  • CHC50608 - Diploma of Community Services Work
  • CHC51708 - Diploma of Counselling
  • CHC51808 - Diploma of Family Intake and Support Work
  • CHC40508 - Certificate IV in Mental Health
  • CHC41108 - Certificate IV in Pastoral Care
  • CHC51508 - Diploma of Youth Justice
  • CSC50107 - Diploma of Correctional Administration
  • HLT44007 - Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care)
  • HLT61107 - Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing)
  • HLT52207 - Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care)