Description:

The personal safety of social workers is a vital part of our practice. This workshop will empower social workers to develop situational awareness and consider best practices for safety in the office and in the field. Case studies will highlight the importance of safety considerations and provide learners with the opportunity to critically analyze their personal and agency safety protocols. De-escalation strategies will be presented as a first line intervention to defusing challenging situations. Learners will be prepared to handle safety concerns and escalated clients with clarity and confidence.

Objectives:

• Identify and describe situational awareness and the Four A’s of personal safety
• Utilize five appropriate strategies to ensure personal safety in the workplace
• Understand and employ at least two effective de-escalation strategies to increase worker, client and agency safety

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She has held clinical positions as an outpatient and in-home therapist and clinical supervisor. Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work for 10 years at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and a Field Liaison and Field Instructor. She has also held administrative positions as a program Director and Coordinator. Diane is a frequent local and national trainer on a wide variety of mental health and workplace development topics with clinicians and corporations. Diane is most passionate about providing quality professional development to clinicians, employees, and leaders. For fun, Diane loves to spoil her four Dachshunds and rock out to 80’s music.