Janet Douglas

The Safe Approach: Controlling Risk for Workers in the Helping Professions Janet Douglas

Field workers in the helping professions social work, home health care, emergency services are exposed to violent acts from the very people they are trying to help. Nearly one third of them will be assaulted sometime in their career. Yet few agencies train their staff to face such risks.

Helping professionals work in many diverse communities, both urban and rural, with differing populations, cultures, and a wide range of levels of violence. The authors have tried to anticipate all possible scenarios, ranging from verbal threats and physical assault to attacks with firearms. An awareness of the potential for all levels of violence should become an integral part of the professional routine.

If you are in the helping professions, The Safe Approach: Controlling Risk for Workers in the Helping Professions provides you with the tools you need to control the risk and keep yourself safe. This book teaches:

* how to conduct ongoing risk evaluation

* how attitude can increase or decrease risk

* how to prepare for a client visit, in the office or in the field

* ways to evaluate risk in the field

* behavioral cues which may precede an assault

* how to work with co-workers to reduce risk

* disengaging should a subject become physically hostile

* how to deal with stress after an assault.