Training

Within our strategy, eRisk is one of the board approved priorities for implementation. eRisk (effective Risk Intervention SKills) training aims to enhance knowledge, skills, competencies, and confidence of the workforce to carry out risk assessments, formulation, management plans and safety plans. The eRISK training will give you basic information into the development of a Risk Assessment and how to formulate this risk to develop management plans and safety plans.

Before you commence the training we would like your comments in relation to risk assessment.

Please complete this short survey prior to eRISK training

The training is delivered in four modules

• Risk assessment
  • A module exploring your role in delivering high quality, safe and effective person-centred care to people at risk.
• Risk formulation
  • This module introduces the 5Ps formulation model as a tool to support risk assessment and management.
• Risk management plans
  • This module explores the key areas of a risk management plan and their use in overcoming barriers to communication.
• Safety plans
  • This module introduces the Safety Planning intervention and provides guidance on how to use it effectively.

You can view a handbook and safety plan practitioners guide to support the training and allow you to make notes as you progress through the modules. An additional blank document is available if you delivering this training to your team and wish to make your own notes for priorities in your team.

The training is available as online learning via eLearning systems (access via ESR training portal), or as part of a cascade model delivered by a core group of staff for the selected team - see additional information in the eRisk training delivery tab.

For divisions adopting partial or full delivery via core team cascade training there is an expectation that service leads will instruct each team manager to identify their core cascade team. This team, if not already trained, will receive training via bookable sessions delivered by the Centre for Perfect Care (please e-mail Safefrom.Suicide@merseycare.nhs.uk).

Once eRISK training has been completed there is a requirement on all staff to ensure the quality of their risk documentation and safety plan is assessed. To ensure compliance with this a competency requirement has been built into the ‘Your Supervision’ area within SharePoint or My Supervision for Mid Mersey staff (this is currently in development). Every member of staff must present one completed risk assessment and safety plan for review by their supervisor. This must be done within one year of completing the training. Guidance for staff completing and assessing the competency is available here (please click on the competencies tab)

After completing the training all staff are expected to use the Mersey Care safety plan documentation to ensure a consistent approach across the organisation.  Please refer to the Safety Plan section for more information.  The safety plan can be downloaded as an editable PDF (there is also the safety flashcard for use in single contact services). Please also see the practical guide here, for more guidance around this.  After completing the training all staff are also expected to record the safety plan documentation within RIO in the My Safety Plan tab. Please refer to recording safety plans in RIO tab in the Safety Plan section for more information.   

The training is available as online learning via eLearning systems (access via ESR training portal), or as part of a cascade model delivered by a core group of staff for the selected team.  The elearning option includes an initial competency test at the end of each module. The Safe from Suicide team, as part of the Centre for Perfect Care, will support the delivery of core team training. A core team would be considered to be managers/deputy managers, psychology workforce and Consultant Psychiatrists for that service. Additional staff with specific interest or skills in Risk Assessment or safety planning can also deliver the training if identified by the manager of that team/ward.

The taught sessions are delivered virtually by the Safe from Suicide Team on the third Tuesday of every month, the next sessions are:

Tuesday 18 July 2023, 9.30 to 3.30

Tuesday 15 August 2023, 9.30 to 3.30 

Tuesday 19 September 2023, 9.30 to 3.30  

Tuesday 17 October 2023, 9.30 to 3.30 

Tuesday 21 November 2023, 9.30 to 3.30

Tuesday 19 December 2023, 9.30 to 3.30     

If you would like to attend please contact Safefrom.Suicide@merseycare.nhs.uk. 

If you would be interested in being a cascade trainer for eRisk for your team please also contact Safefrom.Suicide@merseycare.nhs.uk.

Once eRISK training has been completed there is a requirement on the staff to ensure the quality of their risk documentation is assessed.  To ensure compliance with this a competency requirement has been built into the ‘Your Supervision’ area within SharePoint.

Every member of staff who conducts an assessment with a Service user should present their completed document for review by their supervisor.

Medics and Clinical psychologists have their competencies assessed via alternative routes and assurance has been given that these will cover the competency framework. However, it is expected that all medics and Clinical psychologists will undertake the eRISK training particularly as they will likely be part of core cascade team.

Safety planning can not be delivered by any professional without appropriate module training and use of practitioner’s guide.

The agreed competency requirements for this are:

The competencies can only be accessed via the 'Staff I Supervise' tab, and then selecting the member of staff.  This is to ensure the assessment is visible to only the staff and their supervisior.

The side panel of ‘Your Supervision’ will identify these two areas (highlighted) and the score currently achieved (competency scoring is discussed below).  This will then allow staff to access the evidence base for that risk assessment or safety plan.

Evidence

There are 10 competencies to be evaluated in relation to Risk documents.  Below gives an example of the competency and the evidence required to achieve that competency.

Clicking on the ‘show guidance’, will give greater detail of the competency evidence required in relation to that area. This is based on national and local policy guidance.  

Those areas highlighted indicate specific competency aspects of a safety plan (SP) but may also be required within other risk documentation.  For further information relating to these areas staff should consult the ‘Practitioners guide for Safety Plans’

Scoring

Each competency will be scored based on the criteria below.  The scoring will be added via the drop down box on the form in the far right column.  The scoring can be completed when viewing the competencies in either basic view or guidance view.

A total score for all competencies will be collated and an overall compliance score produced. 

The highest achievable score will be 40 i.e. 10 competencies scored at 4 for each (10 x 4). 

Anyone scoring 30 or above will be considered competent in that area and as such able to complete risk assessments or safety plans. 

Those staff falling below a score of 30 will require some further support or assistance.  Staff will be require to resubmit a document for review, details of actions should be included in the supervisor’s notes for that period.

Score of 20-29 (Requires further support/assistance)

Supervisors should identify the main areas of need for this individual and plan appropriate actions to address this need.  These actions should be within the supervision notes to ensure continued support.

Consider:

• Support from colleagues/peers (specifically anyone scoring 40) in areas of need
• Mentoring or coaching from other team members
• Re-induction to team/ward policies and procedures
• Observation of Risk assessment/safety plan being completed
• Access specific modules of eRISK training for areas of need.
• Resubmit an assessment at next supervision session
• Ensure actions are recorded in the supervision notes.

Score of 19 or below (Needs assistance)

We feel that this person is having difficulties to meet the standards expected to produce risk assessments.  This could be due to a change in working environment i.e. from in-patient to community.  Supervision sessions, observations, re training and supportive plans to meet a minimum competency should be used to ensure safety of practice and service user care. If competency is a continual issue for this individual, consider using the ‘Supporting Improvement policy (HR11)’.

In addition, consider:

• Mentoring or coaching from colleagues/peers (specifically anyone scoring 40).
• Re-induction to team/ward policies and procedures
• Observation of Risk assessment/safety plan being completed
• Redo all modules of eRISK training.
• Resubmit an assessment at next supervision session
• Use of Supporting Improvement policy (HR11)
• Ensure plans to address areas of concern are recorded in the supervision notes.

You can view the Practical eRisk guide here.

Suicide awareness training is available on the Trust eLearning site and should be completed as a mandatory requirement for all staff.  Please use the ‘ELearning & ESR Logon’ to access this training.

Clinical staff who are compliant in eRISK will be excluded from the need to complete this training.

We need to talk about suicide: helping everyone to feel more confident to talk about suicide

Who should complete this: Anyone with an interest in suicide prevention and support

Duration: Approximately 60 to 90 minutes

Access: You can access this training here and it can be accessed for free or via OpenAthens account.