25-01 Critical Incident Debriefing
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25-01 Critical Incident Debriefing

Program Instruction: 25-01
Issue Date: January 31, 2025
Effective Date: January 31, 2025
From: Kim Guay, Director
Subject: Critical Incident Debriefing

 

To ensure OCS can offer immediate support to staff amid a crisis or loss, related to our work together, we are issuing this Program Instruction, so each employee knows the steps related to getting support. 

When we experience a loss or tragedy in our work (ex. Death of a child, death of a parent, severe incident on our caseload, court decision that is challenging to reconcile, etc.) we may need additional support through a critical incident debriefing. OCS had adopted a structured model called Restoring Resiliency Response (RRR). This model supports child protection and other frontline workers to regain balance after a crisis. 

The RRR model utilizes a strength-based approach and differs from classical crisis debriefing in that it does not have an investigatory stance that requires staff to retell the details of the incident.

Policy:

  1. A Restoring Resiliency Response (RRR) Session will be offered to all OCS staff who request one.

  2. The RRR Session will be facilitated by the OCS Wellness and Resiliency Officer or another trained professional.

  3. Employees can request an individual debrief or one for a group (no larger than 8 people).

Procedure:

  1. Employees or their leadership will email the OCS Wellness and Resiliency Officer (WARO) with a request or referral for a RRR session. If the WARO is out of the office, the request will be emailed to the person covering for the WARO.

    1. RRR Sessions will occur within 24-72 hours from the request.

    2. RRR Sessions will be held either in person or on a confidential Zoom platform.

    3. RRR Sessions will be confidential and there will be no documentation related to who attended the meeting or what was discussed.

    4. RRR Sessions may be scheduled after a critical incident, but participation is voluntary. 

    5. RRR Sessions do not have an investigatory stance that would require retelling of the details, rather it places focus on the stress reactions currently being experienced and on the individual’s ability to utilize support systems and past coping techniques.

    6. RRR Sessions will include education about how trauma can affect individuals.

    7. The facilitator will provide resources and referrals as necessary.