DK9D 04 (HSC392)
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
Elements of competence
HSC392.1
HSC392.2
HSC392.3
HSC392.4
Identify and agree risk management strategies with individuals, families
and carers
Assess the urgency of requests for action
Agree and implement actions to meet immediate needs
Review outcomes with the individuals, families and carers
About this Unit
For this Unit you need to work with individuals and their carers and families in times of crisis
to assess the urgency of requests for action, take and review the effectiveness of actions to
meet needs and agree risk management strategies.
The term ‘carers and families’ is used to mean any persons who have an active and on-going
informal role in caring for the individual with mental health needs, including those with a
familial relationship to the individual. Partners, where they exist, would be considered as
family members. Individuals with mental health needs may be adults of working age, children
or adolescents or older people.
This unit applies to those who respond to and work with individuals with mental health needs
and their carers and families during times of crisis.
You will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.
Scope
The scope is here to give you guidance on possible areas to be covered in this Unit. The terms
in this section give you a list of options linked with items in the performance criteria. You
need to provide evidence for any option related to your work area.
Needs in relation to: support; prevention; protection; control.
Risk management strategies in relation to needs arising for: support for individuals; support
for carers and families; protection of communities and colleagues who may be at risk of harm.
Requests for action raised by: the individual, carers and families; members of your own
team; other service providers, agencies and practitioners.
Requests for action may relate to: a single or one-off emergency; repeated crises.
Situation may relate to: a single or one-off emergency; repeated crises.
Actions in relation to meeting immediate needs may include: brief therapy; family therapy;
mediation; therapeutic crisis intervention.
Reviews which are: formal; informal.
Evidence Requirements for the Unit
It is essential that you adhere to the Evidence Requirements for this Unit – please see
details overleaf.
This is directly transferable to Mental Health unit MH13.
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
1
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
SPECIFIC EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS UNIT
Simulation:
 Simulation is NOT permitted for any part of this unit.
The following forms of evidence ARE mandatory:
 Direct Observation: Your assessor or an expert witness must observe you in real
work activities which provide evidence for some of the performance criteria for most
of the elements in this unit. You could be observed, for example co-ordinating a
meeting to assess, plan and agree a plan of action.
 Reflective Account/professional discussion: These will be a description of your
practice in particular situations. You should be able to describe how you accurately
assess each situation (whether one-off or on-going), and how you evaluate the
effectiveness of particular interventions.
Competence of performance and knowledge could also be demonstrated using a variety
of evidence from the following:
 Questioning/professional discussion: May be used to provide evidence of
knowledge, legislation, policies and procedures which cannot be fully evidenced
through direct observation or reflective accounts. In addition the assessor/expert
witness may also ask questions to clarify aspects of your practice.
 Expert Witness: A designated expert witness may provide direct observation of
practice, questioning, professional discussion and feedback on reflective accounts.
 Witness testimony: Can be a confirmation or authentication of the activities
described in your evidence which your assessor has not seen. This could be provided
by a work colleague or service user.
 Products: These can be records of risk management strategies, assessment reports,
action plans and reviews, diary evidence of day to day practice.
You need not put confidential records in your portfolio, they can remain where they
are normally stored and be checked by your assessor and internal verifier. If you do
include them in your portfolio they should be anonymised to ensure confidentiality.
GENERAL GUIDANCE




Prior to commencing this unit you should agree and complete an assessment plan
with your assessor which details the assessment methods you will be using, and the
tasks you will be undertaking to demonstrate your competence.
Evidence must be provided for ALL of the performance criteria ALL of the
knowledge and the parts of the scope that are relevant to your job role.
The evidence must reflect the policies and procedures of your workplace and be
linked to current legislation, values and the principles of best practice within the Care
Sector. This will include the National Service Standards for your areas of work and
the individuals you care for.
All evidence must relate to your own work practice.
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
2
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS UNIT
Competent practice is a combination of the application of skills and knowledge informed by
values and ethics. This specification details the knowledge and understanding required to
carry out competent practice in the performance described in this unit.
When using this specification it is important to read the knowledge requirements in
relation to expectations and requirements of your job role.
You need to provide evidence for ALL knowledge points listed below. There are a
variety of ways this can be achieved so it is essential that you read the ‘knowledge
evidence’ section of the Assessment Guidance.
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
Legislation and organisational policy and procedures
1
Relevant legislation and how this should inform the actions taken
in response to urgent requests for action and any risk management
strategies.
2
How the legislative framework affects service provider policy and
practices.
3
Relevant legislation and its implications for the recording, storing
and sharing of information.
4
The agency’s policy and procedures regarding confidentiality of
information and the disclosure of information to third parties, and
the specific circumstances under which disclosure may be made.
Theory and practice
5
The types of support available to individuals, carers and families in
the event of a crisis.
6
The relevant methods and models of intervention that may be
appropriate.
7
What the purpose and priorities are of the service provider and how
these influence the kinds of support offered.
8
The range of factors that need to be taken into account when
determining the urgency of a request for action and how best to
respond to it, including economic and social factors, any illnesses
which the individual may have, risk assessment, and restrictions
which may apply under legislation.
9
The details which need to be specified in risk assessments and risk
management strategies.
10
Different methods of enabling carers and families to participate in
the agreement and review of actions taken in times of crisis and in
the development of risk management strategies.
11
The importance of ensuring that individuals, carers and families are
actively involved in the process of agreeing and reviewing actions
taken and in developing risk management strategies.
12
How to communicate clearly and effectively.
13
How to make a valid assessment of the urgency of a request for
action.
14
How to facilitate individual, carer and family participation.
15
How to conduct valid, reliable and comprehensive reviews.
16
How to write reports, including statutory documentation.
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
Enter Evidence
Numbers
3
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
HSC392.1
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
Identify and agree risk management strategies with individuals, families
and carers
Performance criteria
1
2
3
4
5
6
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
You assess the risk of crisis situations
occurring with individuals, families and
carers.
You obtain current, accurate and
complete information about the
circumstances in which needs have arisen
and may arise.
You work with individuals, carers and
families to:
(a)
take account of information on the
effectiveness of different actions
taken in response to the needs
arising
(b)
identify and evaluate actions that
could be taken to avoid or
minimise risk to individuals,
families, carers and others
(c)
review the care plan in light of
changes in the needs and
vulnerabilities of individuals,
carers and families
You enable individuals, carers and
families to contribute actively and openly
to the process of identifying and agreeing
appropriate risk management strategies.
You use your assessments to formulate
risk management strategies in which you
take account of:
(a)
concerns raised by individuals,
families, carers, communities,
colleagues and other professionals
(b)
individuals’ right to take risks
balanced against the likelihood of
harm to themselves and/or others
(c)
the situation and circumstances
associated with the risk
You negotiate agreement to the risk
management strategies with the
individuals, carers, families, service
providers, other agencies and
practitioners.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
4
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
HSC392.1
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
Identify and agree risk management strategies with individuals, families
and carers (cont)
Performance criteria
7
8
DO
HSC392.2
2
3
4
5
6
DO
P
WT
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
Q
P
WT
Agree and implement actions to meet immediate needs
Performance criteria
2
Q
You obtain as much accurate information
as possible on the nature of, and reasons
for, the requests for action.
You evaluate the information and form a
valid judgement as to the seriousness and
urgency of the requests for action.
You follow the guidelines of the service
provider in making an assessment as to
the urgency of requests for action.
You obtain accurate, relevant, reliable and
current information on the strengths,
vulnerabilities, needs and circumstances
of the individual, carers and family.
You identify any conflicts of interest
arising from the requests for action in
relation to the needs of the individual and
their carers/families.
You record and justify your assessment of
the urgency of requests for action and
make it available to those who need to
receive it.
HSC393.3
1
EW
Assess the urgency of requests for action
Performance criteria
1
RA
You enable all those who will contribute
to the risk management strategies, to
clarify and confirm their understanding of
the strategies and their roles and
responsibilities within them.
You detail and record the agreed risk
management strategies and ensure that
they are communicated clearly to those
who need to receive them.
DO
RA
EW
You work with families, carers and
individuals to assess the situation,
including risks to individuals, carers,
families and others, and identify the
actions required to meet immediate needs.
You enable individuals, carers and
families to participate in the decision
making process as actively as time and
circumstances permit.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
5
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
HSC393.3
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
Agree and implement actions to meet immediate needs (cont)
Performance criteria
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DO
HSC393.4
2
3
4
5
EW
Q
P
WT
P
WT
Review outcomes with the individuals, families and carers
Performance criteria
1
RA
You offer views and suggestions in a way
which is non-threatening to individuals,
carers and families and which is sensitive
to your own power and authority.
You build on the preferences of
individuals, carers and families when
working with them to agree actions.
You ensure compliance with legislative
requirements and the policy, practices and
procedures of your organisation.
You clearly specify the actions to be
taken and who will undertake them.
You negotiate agreement on the
information which will need to be shared,
and with whom, in accordance with
agency and legislative requirements.
You ensure that the details of the actions
to be taken are communicated clearly to
all those who need to know them.
You ensure that the agreed actions are
implemented as promptly as possible in
accordance with the assessed urgency of
the need.
You keep accurate, complete and up to
date records of the actions agreed and
implemented.
DO
RA
EW
Q
You review the outcomes of actions taken
to address immediate needs, at the earliest
possible opportunity.
You ensure that all parties are aware of
and have the opportunity to contribute to
the review process.
You enable individuals, carers and
families to express their views on the
effectiveness of the actions taken in a
frank, honest and constructive manner.
You ensure that the review process is
conducted in an environment that
facilitates active participation by
individuals, carers and families.
You clearly summarise the outcomes of
the review and enable all those who have
contributed to it, to comment on the
summary.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
6
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
HSC393.4
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
Review outcomes with the individuals, families and carers (cont)
Performance criteria
6
7
8
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
You keep an accurate, complete and up to
date record of the review and decisions
taken and ensure that it is stored securely.
You use the results of the review to
inform the service provided to the
individual, family and carers and to
inform future actions taken in response to
crisis situations.
You ensure that the results of the review
are communicated clearly to all those
who need to receive them.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
7
DK9D 04 (HSC392)
Work with families, carers and individuals during times
of crisis
To be completed by the Candidate
I SUBMIT THIS AS A COMPLETE UNIT
Candidate’s name: ……………………………………………
Candidate’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: …………………………………………………………..
To be completed by the Assessor
It is a shared responsibility of both the candidate and assessor to claim evidence, however, it
is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure the accuracy/validity of each evidence claim and
make the final decision.
I CERTIFY THAT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO MEET
ALL THE ELEMENTS, PCS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNIT.
Assessor’s name: …………………………………………….
Assessor’s signature: ………………………………………....
Date: …………………………………………………………..
Assessor/Internal Verifier Feedback
To be completed by the Internal Verifier if applicable
This section only needs to be completed if the Unit is sampled by the Internal Verifier
Internal Verifier’s name: ……………………………………………
Internal Verifier’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: ……………………………………..…………………………..
Unit: DK9D 04 (HSC392) Work with families, carers and individuals during times of crisis
8