Conducting Risk and Safety Assessments

Course Title: Conducting Risk and Safety Assessments

Learning Method: Record asynchronous distance (non-interactive). This course includes a recorded video and access to the presented resources.

Amount of CE Credit Offered: 1.5 credits (general)

Fees: This course can be purchased individually for $25 or as part of an annual unlimited continuing education subscription available for $99/year.

Posttest: Following the course, the participant will take a 15 question posttest. A score of 70% correct is required to pass and obtain a certificate. If you do not pass the posttest, it can be re-taken after fully reviewing the materials again. 

Certificate of Completion: In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must indicate that you’ve watched the entire video portion of the course, earn a passing grade on the test, and complete the requested course evaluation.

Description of the Course:

This course is designed for social workers who want to develop skills and knowledge in safety and risk assessment for clients who may be at risk for suicide or self-harm. The course will cover the fundamentals of safety and risk assessment, including identifying clients in need of assessment, developing effective safety plans through communication with clients, and understanding why adolescents and teens are at risk for suicidal behavior or ideation.

The course will also focus on using the CSSR-S (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale) in safety and risk assessments. The CSSR-S is an evidence-based tool designed to identify individuals at risk of suicide and evaluate the severity of suicidal ideation and behavior. Social workers will learn how to use this tool to assess their clients’ risk for suicide and develop effective interventions.

Additionally, the course will explore the risk and protective factors that clients have for suicide or self-harm. Social workers will learn how to identify these factors and use them to develop personalized safety plans that address the client’s unique needs.

Throughout the course, social workers will engage in interactive exercises, case studies, and discussions to develop practical skills and knowledge in safety and risk assessment. By the end of the course, participants will be able to apply these skills in their practice and provide better support for clients who may be at risk for suicide or self-harm.

Participants will leave this session with a “toolbox” of techniques that can be put into action in a variety of diverse settings. This includes the opportunity to learn from case scenarios, analyze and brainstorm solutions to difficult cases. This will be done through virtual interaction and problem-solving with colleagues in small breakout rooms.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify clients in need of safety + risk assessments
2. Develop effective safety plans through communication with clients
3. Describe why adolescents and teens are at risk for suicidal behavior or ideation and how to identify these behaviors
4. Utilize the CSSR-S in safety and risk assessments
5. Identify risk and protective factors the client has for suicide or self-harm

Target Audience: 

Masters and Clinical level licensees pursuing continuing education.

Content Level:

Both beginning and intermediate-level content are included in this course.

Instructor Bio(s):

Maeve McMahon is a Licensed Social Worker specializing in Pediatric Behavioral Health.

Maeve currently works at the Cleveland Clinic as a Pediatric Behavioral Health Social Worker and graduated with her Masters Degree in Social Work from Case Western University.

Course Outline:

Conducting Risk and Safety Assessments covers various theories and concepts of human behavior in the social environment. For example, the course provides a thorough understanding of why adolescents and teens are at risk for suicidal behavior or ideation and how to identify these behaviors. The course also covers risk and protective factors for suicide or self-harm, which are important concepts in understanding client behavior.

In terms of social work practice, the course covers several key areas. Firstly, it provides social workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify clients in need of safety and risk assessments. Secondly, it covers how to develop effective safety plans through communication with clients, which is an essential skill for any social worker working in the field of mental health.

The course covers social work ethics, including the importance of maintaining client confidentiality, informed consent, and respecting clients’ autonomy. Social workers will learn how to conduct assessments in a way that upholds these ethical standards and maintains a client-centered approach. The course also emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity when working with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Course Creation Date: 3/20/23 

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations:

Please email [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations.

ACE Approval Statement: 

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 7/26/2023 – 7/26/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 continuing education credits.

System Requirements:

• The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge browser
• Javascript enabled
• PDF plugin
• Graphic and audio output capability
• Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
• TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser