Discussion: Safety In Field

• Introduction:
• Client’s House:
  • How Will You React:
• Inside the Client’s House:
  • Interacting with the Client:
• Conclusion:

42 Chapter 4: Personal Safety

attempts at violence toward social workers, it is of the utmost importance that students

learn how to avoid such danger and deal with it should it actually occur.

In addition to the physical dangers associated with certain circumstances and rypes of practice, exposure tojob-related danger can lead rc negatbe outcotnes for social work-

ers such as anxiety, iow morale, burnout, family stress, cynicism, and high job turnover

rates. As a social work practicum student, you must be cognizant of the dangers you face

so that you do not experience physical or emotionai assaults. You need to exercise certain

precautions So as to reduce risks to your safefy. Moreover, you must know what steps to

take when you encounter a dangerous siruation rather tlan assume that you are not in

danger or that you can handle siruations without training and consideration of specific

guidelines and recommendations.

ffiACKGRML}ruM AND CSftXTEXT

Although social work practice occurs in the context of potential dangeq it is possible to

prevenr violent incidents from occurring, as well as to reduce the threat and potential

of harm. Knowing the sources of possible harm will help greatly, as will understanding

how to react when threats occur or when they are imminent. This section summarizes

the various sources of harm, induding high-rsk settings, certain social work pracaces and

intervendons that can present danger, and potentially dangerous clients.

Certain high-risk settings present more risk to social workers than others.

Examples of such settings include child protection agencies, corrections programs,

forensic units of psychiatric hospitals, shelters for the homeless population, and resi-

dential faciiities for youth who may be aggressive and impulsive. These settings are

potentially dangerous because some of those served may have tendencies to-

ward the use of violence. However, remember that any Practice setting can

be threatening because ciient-worker interactions often involve emotionally

charged situations and concerns. Even clients with no previous history of vi-

olence or high-risk behaviors can, under certain circumstances, pose a threat

to social workers. Certain social work t)tactices and intetventioas have a greater likelihood

of placing the social worker at risk than others. Examples of such activities

include the initial investigation of child abuse allegations, the involuntary re-

moval of a child from a parent’s home, Protection of a victim of domestic

After watching this video about the work to make safety training

mandatory for social workers in Massachusetts. reflect on the challenges to institutional- izing such safety training. www.youtube.com /watch?v=bmldqOsSyFY

violence, outreach to youth invoived in gang activiry home visits with clients on proba-

tion or paroie, intervention with drug- and alcohol-involved clients, ffansporting dients

who do not wish to be moved, behavioral management of persons with certain forms

of brain rnjury and the monitoring of clients in correctional settings. In these siruafions,

social work actions can be perceived by clients as threatening or coercive’ This may result

in heightened emotion or defensiveness on the part of clients and an inclination to use

violence. Social workers who work with potefltially dangerous clients face the difficult chal-

lenge of remaining humane, open, and accePting of clients while also being alert to the

porriUitiry of danger or attack. It is important not to view every client as a potential

rhrear, but it is also very crucial to recognize a client who might be a threat’ Although

any client may have the potential to be of danger to social work- ers and practicum students, it is good ro anticipate rhe possibility of heightened emotion, unreguiated behavior, extreme stress, and history of violence. In order to anticipate possible danger in your praclicum, consider the following examples of specific clients who may presenr a threat:

. A client with a yr*ious hktory of violence or threats

. A parent reacting to the remopal of o child from their home

. A client engaging in an illegal act that is discovered by a social worker

. An inpolantory client being transported to a secure facility

. A client being seen in a follow-up visit who is angry about a praious elcounter

. A client with a mental illness involvtngparunoia, delusions, orhallucinotions

. A client snder the ittfluence of substances, which lower in- hibitions

. A client in withdrawal from srbstances, which can lead to violent behavior

. An involuntary client who does not respect or resents the outhoity of pr ofes sionals

. A client with a lack of impulse control

. A client with post-troumatic strcss disoriler experiencing hyperarousal due to perceived threat by a social worker

. A perpetrator of partner violetce who wants to know the w-hereabouts of their partner

. A client who possesses and is not afraid to use weapofls sach asfirearms

In addition to the threat of physicai violence, social workers in some serdngs experience frequent verbal abuse due to the nature of their work and the dients they serve. Because most of these threats do not result in acrLrai violence, social workers may become compla- cent about acrual risk. They may come to view verbal threats as part of thea job, mistakenly assume that their clients are usually bluffing, and consequently fail to take reasonable pre- cautions. Some social workers erroneously beiieve that because they have been trained in basic helping skills, they wili always be able to taik their way out of a dangerous situation. These overly confident workers rnay rnderestiruate the rkk to themselves, beiieve that they do not need special training in how to respond in truiy dangerous situations, and thus put themselves at higher risk It is important that practicum srudents learn to take their personal safery very seriously. They must be made aware of potentially dangerous situa- tions, heiped to identifii such situations themselves, rained in all agency policies ei Assess your understand- regardingviolence prevention, become knowledgeable about how to report nega- { ing of background and tive experiences, supporred when unsure of themselves, and provided with sup- , cgntext by taking this porrive services in the event of a threat or actual form of violence. ‘ brief quiz’

Chapter 4: Personal Safety 43

Behavior: Use and translate research find- ings to inform and improve practice, policy, and services delivery.

Critical Thinking Question: What does the professional literature tell us about the factors that put social workers at risk for violence by clients?

Behavior: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical f rameworks to engage with clients and constituencies.

Critical Thinking Question: What aspects of social work practice and the way social agenctes provide services could contribute to stronq emotional reactions by clients?

Table 4.1 Deal

Escalation of emotion and potentially violent behavior

Threats

c

Violence

Post incident

Stress, anxiety, fear; anger

Escalation of emotions and irrational thought

Feeling attacked, disrespected,

vulnerable, mistreated, unheard

Extremely angry, sees no alternative to violence

Remorse, release of tension. need for containment

Client in control of own behavior but exhibits unusual behavior

Verbal venting or unusual quietness

Client control over own behavior lessening

Verbal attacks, intimidation and threats of physical violence

Client control over own behavior being lost

Threatening actions. actual violence

Client control over own behavior lost

Client exit or social worker exit

Chapter 4: personal Safety

Prevention

De-escalation of violence

Dealing with threats

Dealing with violence

Review of incident

De-escalation or lntervention Approaches

of violence Recognize potential for high-risk situation to escalate

Use active listening and empathy to allow the client to be heard and work toward resolution of concerns

Assess potential for violence

Utilize nonthreaten- ing, respectful, and calm responses to clrent statements and behavior

Avoid arguing and challenging client

Seek solutions satisfactory to client

Set limits in speech and behavior

Develop potential escape plan

Avoid giving orders or returning threats

Call for assistance

Use self-defensive measures

lf safety cannot be ensured, leave or escape

Cooperate with responding law enforcement or others who arrive to assist Consult with supervi- sor and administrators

Document the incident Provide cntical incrdent debriefing and support as needed

4!

ing with Potentially Violent Situations

Stage of tncident Client Emotions CIient Behavior Goal High-risk situation

i}

c

c