Course Title: Recognise and respond to crisis situations

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2025

Course Code: HWSS6071C

Course Title: Recognise and respond to crisis situations

Important Information:

Please note that this course has compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching and assessment activities.

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4423 - Certificate IV in Mental Health

Course Contact: Fiona McLean

Course Contact Phone: 9925 4449

Course Contact Email: fiona.mclean2@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

This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to effectively in the above elements.

Details of Learning Activities

Week	Topic	Assessment due dates
Week 1A	Understanding mental distress Recognising crisis situations Legal, ethical and duty of care requirement's Organisational policies and procedures
Week 1B	Responding Preparing for action Situational assessment
Week 2A	Provide aid in a range of scenarios Choice making Barriers to seeking help Referral networks
Week 2B	Safety planning Keeping accurate records Vicarious trauma Self-care Supervision and debriefing	Assessment Task 1 Knowledge Questions due Sunday 9 November 2025
Week 3A	Assessment Task 2 Role Plays
Week 3B	Assessment Task 2 Role Plays	Assessment Task 2 Role Plays due Sunday 16 November 2025

Teaching Schedule

This unit will be delivered across six sessions which includes in-class role play assessments.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

This unit is part of an integrated program. You must demonstrate critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit.

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Oral or written questioning
• Oral presentations
• Assignments and projects
• Direct observation of work practice

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.

Regular attendance is necessary.

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.

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the Program Co-ordinator or the Equitable Learning Services team if you would like to find out more.

Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1	Knowledge Questions	See canvas for due dates
Assessment Task 2	Role plays	See canvas for due dates

Assessment Matrix

See canvas for assessment rubric and criteria.

Other Information

Students must attend and participate in a minimum of 80% of content delivery classes and submit and be assessed as competent in all assessments.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview