Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:11 AM AWST

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Recognise and respond to individuals at risk

Recognise and respond to individuals at risk

Unit of competency
National Code
CHCCS514A
State Code
D2355
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/03/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/07/2014
Field of Education
090501 - Social Work
Original Release Date
15/07/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes basic competencies required by community service workers to recognise and respond appropriately to signs and symptoms that indicate individuals may be at risk The focus is on identifying and managing immediate risk in the context of a supportive helping relationship that seeks to work collaboratively with the person at risk to achieve safe outcomes
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify and assess the person's current risk
  • 1.1 Recognise and respond to signs, (such as statements, reactions, thoughts, feelings or behaviours) indicating that a person may be at risk
  • 1.2 Attend to any hunches, while listening as a helper, perhaps from indirect communications, that suggest the client may be at risk
  • 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
2. Work actively with the person to reduce the immediate risk and increase safety
  • 2.1 Build a collaborative empathic relationship with person at risk
  • 2.2 Listen to what contributed to the critical incident and affirm and strengthen links to safety and living implicit in the helping relationship
  • 2.3 Work with person at risk to identify and agree actions to reduce immediate danger and mobilise access to emergency assistance, including medical help when needed
  • 2.4 Identify and agree actions 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 advice and/or assistance from workplace supervisor to ensure action taken is lawful, complies with good crisis 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
3. Provide referral for crisis intervention support
  • 3.1 Encourage and enable capacity of person at risk to make informed choices about further help that deals with their crisis 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
  • 3.5 Refer to appropriate community services and/or health professionals as required
No information
No information
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WC865 CHCCS514B Recognise and respond to individuals at risk Unit of competency