7.1 - Managing Safety Issues Flashcards
What are the 3 steps to managing all situations of safety at Lifeline
1) Check immediate safety
2) Collect further information about the safety concerns in the context of the interaction, using CARE.
* 2a) Important to maintain your connection with the help seeker during this process*
3) Develop a safety plan with the help seeker at the end of the interaction, wherever possible and relevant
What are the two types of safety that you need to look at when managing safety issues
Immediate Safety
Long Term Safety
When should you look into help seekers safety?
As soon as the help seeker discloses that there is a safety issue
HS: “I have a violent partner, and im so scared”
CS: “Where is your partner right now”
What is important to continue to keep doing while we are checking for safety and dealing with HS safety concerns?
Build connection and use CARE model
What should you do if you do not know the best action to take regarding HS safety
Contact ISS
What is the best way to interact with the help seeker when deciding on what’s the best practice for safety?
With the HS to maintain their safety.
e.g. Unanticipated police presence can be traumatic for help seeker
What are the 5 steps you follow if you are dealing with a HS immediate suicide risk situation?
1) Be aware of your own emotional/physiological reactions to the situation, group yourself and maintain focus on HS
2) Continue to work with HS to keep themselves safe - try to keep them connected with Lifeline and ASAP contact your ISS
2a) If ISS is not immediately present, it is important to be open and transparent with the HS about needing to contact your supervisor.
3) For any child protection issue you need to call your ISS, even if imminent risk is not apparent. It may be necessary for us to report this after the call.
4) For calls: press MCID on the phone and “Now” button on CONNECT (and OK when prompted) to record the time you did so.
5) Work with the help seeker to manage immediate safety. Do they feel able to remove themselves from the danger and put down or remove dangerous objects?
What should you do if you cannot manage the HS’s immediate safety?
Contact ISS immediately as intervention may be required.
When should you report the details of an imminent risk situation?
During the interaction if possible in the log, if not immediately after
If HS is at imminent risk and cannot be made safe, what information should you try to get out of them while staying connected and being gentle?
HS’s address/where they are currently located
*Can identify through other things like Work/School/Church they have mentioned.
Tell your ISS is the call came in via the TIS or NRS, this will be important if they escalate to police.
If the ISS decides to get police involved, what should you tell the HS on the phone?
That police is on their way, and to check on their safety.
Do not promise they will come unless you are certain they will be coming
When would you not inform HS that police are coming or hang up on the HS in immediate risk?
If the ISS or police believe that being on the phone will increase risk of harm or the police want to talk to the HS themselves. If so, inform the HS on what is happening.
Safety Planning
In what section of care would you start developing a safety plan?
Reaffirm, Empower
What 6 things are needed to be considered when developing a safety plan?
1) How involved in the safety concern is the help seeker
2) What short-term actions might the help seeker feel able to take to keep themselves safe?
3) What medium-longer term actions might the help seeker feel able to take?
4) Ensure the safety plan is something the help seeker develops themselves as much as possible, so that they take ownership of it and feel able to follow through on the actions
5) Consider the need for a specialist service - particularly in regards to domestic and family violence and assault, non-suicidal self-injury and child protection
6) Document the safety plan in your interaction notes
What steps should you take after an interaction where there were safety concerns?
1) Take a brief break to digest what happened
2) Debrief with your ISS
3) If you contacted ISS during interaction, remain contactable after the interaction should they need further information from you.
4) Return to taking interactions if you feel able to do so
5) Remember your self-care strategies and practice log process after your shift
