Overview

Our Violence Prevention (VP) curriculum is based VP framwork that idenitifies four main responsibilities in preventing and protecting against violence in the workplace: Recognize Risks and Behaviors, Assess and Plan, Report and Communicate Post-Incident, and Respond to Risk. Developed with support from SWITCH BC, this curriculum was designed for community social services sector, in collaboration with our member organizations, our union partners, and WorkSafeBC.

This curriculum is a refresh of the Provincial Prevention Curriculum (PVPC) and has scenarios to support the breadth of the programs and service that encompass community social services sector. This course is designed to help front-line workers, supervisors, and management recognize, prevent, and respond to workplace violence and aggressive behaviour. Through interactive modules and real-world scenarios, learners will gain practice strategies to identify warning signs, apply de-escalation techniques, communicate effectively during high-risk situations, and contribute to a safer, more respectful work environment.

Why Take the Violence Prevention for Social Services Course

• Recognize potential workplace violence risks, warning signs, and contributing factors
• Learn practical strategies to prevent and manage agressive or potentially violent situations
• Develop effective communication and de-escalation technqiues for personal and workplace safety
• Learn how to respond to incident of violence, how to obtain assistance
• Promote a respectful, proactive, and violence-free workplace culture

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Recognize the signs, risk factors, and early warning indicators of workplace violence and aggressive behaviour
• Identify common workplace situations and environmental factors that may increase the risk of violence
• Apply basic principles of violence prevention in social service and community care settings
• Use effective communication and de-escalation techniques to respond to escalating situations safely
• Understand the importance of reporting procedures, personal safety strategies, and maintaining a respectful workplace culture

Target Audience

Front-line, Supervisors, Managers, Senior Leadership, HR and H&S Professionals

Course Structure

This course is divided into eight modules.

Module 1: Introduction to Building Rapport (25 min)

• Key Principles for Violence Prevention
  • ABC Model of Behaviour
  • How to build rapport
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Indigenous Cultural Safety
  • Trauma Informed Practices

Module 2: Understanding Workplace Violence (22 min)

• Definition of violence
• Workers rights and responsibilities
• The role of the JOHSC
• Employer’s responsibilities

Module 3: Recognize Risks and Behaviours (30 min)

• Identify risk factors
• Recognize potential stressors
• Understand what is an emotional crisis and a behavioural emergency
• Identifying signs of escalation
• Learn self-setting strategies

Module 4: Point of Service Risk Assessments (30 min)

• How to conduct a Point of Service Risk Assessment
• Practice Point of Service Risk Assessments

Module 5: Communication Practices in Violence Prevention (45 min)

• Understand the different types of communication
• Perform a supportive stance
• Practice communication strategies

Module 6: De-escalation Strategies (35 min)

• Learn strategies to de-escalate a situation
• Recognize unsafe de-escalation scenarios
• Protective stance

Module 7: When and How to Call for Help (20 min)

• Learn when and how to call for help
• Understand duty of care towards persons served
• Assess the risk in various situations
• How to respond to mental health crisis

Module 8: Report and Communicate Post-Incident (30 min)

• Understand the importance of reporting incidents and near misses
• Recognize the importance of post-incident debriefing and support resources
• What is required documentation and communication

For access, register for our Learning Centre.