Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: HWSS6071C

Course Title: Recognise and respond to crisis situations

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5432 - Diploma of Community Services

Course Contact: Bella Kelly

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4109

Course Contact Email: Bella.Kelly@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 45

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

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.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations
Element:	1. Identify imminent crisis situations
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	2. Address immediate safety concerns
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	3. Provide referral for crisis intervention support
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	4. Care for self
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Recognise and minimise risks to self associated with crisis support 4.2 Identify and respond to the need for supervision and debriefing

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 

Details of Learning Activities

This course is face to face.  Types of learning activities include: 

• practical demonstrations
• online Discussion Forums, Groupwork and Quizzes
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• workshops, group discussion
• group activities/projects
• peer learning
• guest lecture/presentation
• research activities
• independent project based work
• group activities/projects
• simulated workplace activities

Teaching Schedule

	Topic	Assessment / Learning activities due
Week 1	Understanding Mental Distress Introduction to the unit Understanding mental distress Recognising crisis situations Legal, ethical and duty of care requirements Organisational policies and procedures	Learning activity
Week 2	Responding to Crisis Responding Preparing for action Situational Assessment
Week 3	Assessment Task 1 Role play completed in class	Assessment task 1: Knowledge Questions
Week 4	.Providing aid in a range of scenarios Providing aid in a range of situations Choice making Barriers to seeking help Referral networks Safety Planning Safety planning Keeping accurate records Vicarious trauma Self-care Supervision and debriefing
Week 5	Assessment Task 2 Role play completed in class	Assessment task 2: Role plays
Week 6	Unit review and complete any remaining Role plays	Assessment task 2: Role plays

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Course Overview: Access Course Overview

Overview of Assessment

There are two individual assessment tasks consisting of role plays, and short answer questions. 

Assessment Tasks

You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Task - This assessment is task one (1) of two (2) tasks, you must satisfactorily complete to be deemed competent for this unit. This assessment task is a set of written questions that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge in responding to crisis situations.

Assessment Task 2: Role Plays - This practical assessment task requires you to demonstrate your skills working with 3 different clients in a role-play that simulates workplace conditions.  

 

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix is located in canvas at the end of each assessment task.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students

Course Overview: Access Course Overview