Activity 35: Facilitate a debriefing session

This activity has three parts.

Part A

During the Skills Assessment Visit, and with your Trainer and Assessor, you will be asked to conduct a structured post-incident debriefing sessionbased either on a real incident that has occurred at the organisation.

Regardless of the incident chosen, real or made up, you will need to prepare for the session.

To prepare:

• access and read the organisation's policies and procedures related to emergency and critical incidents
• determine the type of debriefing required (making sure the type you select aligns with the organisation's policies and procedures, the scope of a community service worker's role and your own skillset)
• write an agenda (this should show a clear outline of what will happen in the meeting and a clear sequencing of the planned discussion)
• prepare any other notes that will help you during the debriefing session
• identify and locate any resources that you need (including contact details of where the staff member can get further support and help)
• write an incident overview to provide to your Trainer and Assessor (so that they can effectively play the role of the staff member who witnessed or was involved in the incident).

Part B

In this part, you need to conduct the debriefing session.

To conduct the session you will need access to a safe and private environment. It is recommended that you make the necessary arrangements before your Workplace Skills Assessment Visit with your Workplace Supervisor to ensure you have access to a small meeting room, lunchroom or other quiet area as appropriate.

Before you run the session, you will have the opportunity to provide your Trainer and Assessor with a copy of the incident overview and discuss any other information they need to know to help the session run smoothly.

• explain the debriefing process
• use appropriate debriefing and questioning techniques to:
  • review the incident
  • clarify any questions or concerns
  • encourage staff - i.e. the Trainer and Assessor to talk about what happened
  • identify current needs.
• discuss any issues that arise in the session that are relevant to the incident and attempt to find solutions
• share information and advice to help staff - i.e. help him/ her to identify and understand the level of risk to his/ her emotional wellbeing and to manage symptoms
• offer information and/or handouts on referrals and support agencies that may be required.

Part C

Use the space below to document the outcomes of the debriefing. For example, note any actions that were agreed on, such as additional support at work through discussions with a staff member who has had a similar experience or has years of service and can offer helpful insights, follow-up support such as counselling or accessing the employee assistance program, dispute resolution, additional training, updating of policies and procedures etc.