Debriefing Support Workers Post-Incident

Debriefing post-incident refers to a structured process of reviewing and analysing an event or situation that has occurred, with the aim of identifying what went well, what didn’t go well, and what can be improved for the future.

By Anthony Inu, Partner – Workforce Practice Excellence

Debriefing post-incident is a method of reflecting on experiences and learning from them to enhance individual and collective performance. Debriefing post-incident is commonly used in fields where individuals are exposed to traumatic or high-stress situations such as the role of Support Workers. It provides an opportunity for individuals to process their emotions and experiences, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations for future action.

Debriefing post-incident can be conducted in a variety of ways, including one-on-one discussions, group sessions, or formal meetings. It is an important tool for promoting resilience and well-being, improving communication and teamwork, and reducing the risk of future incidents.

Establishing a debriefing post-incident framework

A strong debriefing post-incident framework for Support Workers includes the following elements:

1. Practice lead should be responsible for coordinating and conducting debriefing sessions.

2. Processes established to immediately report incidents to the designated person or team, and for documenting the incident in a timely manner.

3. Debriefing session should take place as soon as possible after the incident, but no later than 24 hours.

4. Safe and confidential space is adopted for the debriefing session and ensuring that all participants feel comfortable and respected.

6. Structured agenda for the debriefing session, including a review of the incident, an exploration of the emotions and reactions of those involved, and a discussion of any necessary actions or follow-up.

7. Process established for providing support and follow-up to those involved, including counselling, stress management, and other forms of support as needed.

8. Review of the incident and debriefing process to identify any areas for improvement and make any necessary changes to the incident management policy and procedures.

9. Clear protocol for managing and reporting any incidents or complaints.

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