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How can I document and report critical incidents? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: Document and report critical incidents.
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  SPEAKER_00: After a critical incident, accurate documentation can be important for safety, safeguarding, organisational learning and any investigation or follow-up that may be required.
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  SPEAKER_00: But before documenting anything, deal with the immediate situation.
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  SPEAKER_00: If there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, contact the emergency services and follow the relevant emergency procedures.
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  SPEAKER_00: Recording what happened comes after immediate safety needs have been addressed.
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  SPEAKER_00: When it is safe to do so, make a factual record as soon as reasonably possible.
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  SPEAKER_00: Include the date, time and location of the incident, who was present, what you personally saw or heard, what action was taken and who was notified.
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  SPEAKER_00: Try to separate facts from assumptions.
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  SPEAKER_00: For example, rather than writing that somebody was aggressive, record the specific behaviour you observed, such as shouting, making a particular threat or damaging property.
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  SPEAKER_00: If you're recording something another person told you, make that clear.
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  SPEAKER_00: Where appropriate, record their words accurately rather than changing them into your own interpretation.
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  SPEAKER_00: Avoid guessing about somebody's motives, medical condition, or emotional state.
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  SPEAKER_00: It can also help to create a clear timeline, particularly when several things happened quickly.
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  SPEAKER_00: Record events in the order they occur and include relevant actions taken by emergency services or other professionals.
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  SPEAKER_00: If photographs, messages, emails, CCTV or other potential evidence exist, follow your organisation's procedures for preserving them.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't alter, circulate or investigate evidence yourself unless this forms part of your authorised role.
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  SPEAKER_00: Confidentiality is essential.
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  SPEAKER_00: Critical incident records may contain sensitive personal, medical or safeguarding information.
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  SPEAKER_00: Store and share information according to your organisation's procedures and only with people who appropriately need access to it.
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  SPEAKER_00: Next, report the incident through the correct route.
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  SPEAKER_00: Depending on what happened, this might involve a manager, HR, health and safety, security, a safeguarding lead or another designated person.
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  SPEAKER_00: Certain incidents may also have external reporting requirements which the appropriate responsible person within your organisation should assess.
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  SPEAKER_00: Where there is a safeguarding concern involving a child or adult at risk, follow your organisation's safeguarding procedures and report the concern through the appropriate safeguarding route.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't investigate the concern yourself.
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  SPEAKER_00: Finally, remember that documenting a distressing event can sometimes bring emotional reactions back to the surface.
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  SPEAKER_00: Take a break afterwards if you need one and access appropriate support if the incident has affected you.
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  SPEAKER_00: A useful principle is record promptly, be factual, preserve relevant information, maintain confidentiality, and report through the correct route.
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  SPEAKER_00: Good documentation isn't about deciding who is to blame.
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  SPEAKER_00: It simply creates a clear and accurate record so that the incident can be responded to appropriately and any necessary action can be taken.