If you or your team need help with any aspect of critical incident support, we can offer these options – free, confidential and available now:
Pre-crisis preparation
This preparation includes stress management education and understanding of normal human reactions to potentially traumatic events. It also lets you know what support services are out there.
Post Incident Support
Resources
Facilitator Resources (these resources are for trained facilitators only. See below for how to train as a facilitator.)
Critical Incident Staff Support as a group or team
Group meetings can be used following potentially traumatic incidents as a means of supporting staff. They are widely used across a range of organisations including the Police, Ambulance services and British Red Cross.
These peer support meetings are voluntary, confidential, structured and time-limited. They are designed to bring together the whole team to create a safe space to explore what you have been through as an individual and a team. It is also a chance to reflect on skills you are using to cope and understand other support options that are available.
The aim of the staff support group meeting is primarily to educate and assist you to recognise and understand normal reactions to traumatic or extremely stressful events and educate as to when it is appropriate to seek further help and support (if necessary) in the future. It also encourages the natural support that exists within teams that work together.
Critical Incident Staff Support meetings are not counselling or therapy. They are not part of any investigation process. No notes are taken or information reported back to managers. You will not be forced to say anything if you just prefer to listen.
Critical Incident Staff Support - follow-up meeting
This is an optional shorter meeting with people approximately 4-6 weeks after the first group meeting to check in again with how people are coping and to provide any additional advice or guidance required.
Critical Incident Staff Support for individuals: 1:1 peer support
The group meetings have many added benefits of coming together as a team, understanding each other’s perspectives and supporting each other. However, we recognise that not everyone likes talking or even listening in groups. We can therefore offer 1:1 support. In this instance you will be matched with a trained facilitator to go through the group meeting structure on a 1:1 basis. This is not therapy or counselling.
1:1 Specialist Psychological Therapy
Most people who have been through a potentially traumatic, frightening or unpleasant event recover without the need for therapy. However, if you or a colleague continue to struggle a month or so after the event or the reactions to the event are particularly distressing this is not a sign of weakness and effective help is available. Do not wait. We can refer you onto specialist therapy interventions. Please call our support line 0808 196 3833 or use our self-referral form to access that support. This is free and confidential.
Supporting a loved one through difficult work events
Have you been impacted by distressing and potentially traumatic events at work? Are you struggling to stay at work or unable to return? Has this event affected your relationships with those around you who you care for? This series of peer support groups may be for you. Click here to find out more.
CrISSP Training
We offer three levels of training dependent on demand and interest.
5 day full facilitator training: The Hub is always looking to develop its pool of trained facilitators. We plan to offer a regular 5 day training programme for people wishing to become CrISSP facilitators. If you are interested in this as an individual or for your organisation please register your interest with us or get in touch to discuss further using our email address bdcccg.wyh.mentalwellbeinghub@nhs.net
Team Leader Training: This will equip leaders and managers with the skills to look after themselves, understand trauma and trauma reactions, support their teams in times of a crisis and understand when to signpost people for further support.
Peer Practitioner Training: This is aimed at people already embedded in teams that are seen as compassionate and supportive. This training will provide the skills needed to support team members who may be experiencing trauma reactions and the knowledge about when to refer on for more specialist support.
