Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents (BCCM-037) Training Course

Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents

Serious accidents, violent incidents, sudden deaths, disasters and other critical events can have a profound psychological effect on employees, whether they were directly…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£1,650Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Serious accidents, violent incidents, sudden deaths, disasters and other critical events can have a profound psychological effect on employees, whether they were directly involved, witnessed the event or supported the response. How an organisation cares for its people in the hours, days and months that follow strongly influences their recovery, wellbeing and trust.

This Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents training course explains how people typically react to traumatic events and how organisations can provide appropriate, evidence-informed support. Participants learn about normal stress reactions, psychological first aid, supportive leadership, peer support, referral to professional help, return to work and care for responders.

The course emphasises practical, compassionate actions that managers and support teams can take, while recognising the boundaries of their role.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

Explain common psychological reactions to critical incidents
Distinguish normal stress responses from signs needing professional help
Apply the principles of psychological first aid
Plan organisational welfare support after critical incidents
Lead and communicate with affected teams compassionately
Establish peer support and referral arrangements
Support return to work and long-term recovery
Protect the wellbeing of responders and support staff

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

HR and employee wellbeing professionals
Managers and team leaders
Crisis management and business continuity teams
Health and safety professionals
Occupational health staff
Peer supporters and welfare officers

Training Methodology

The course uses discussion, case studies and supportive skills practice in a safe learning environment. Participants practise psychological first aid conversations, plan welfare responses to scenarios and develop a staff welfare plan for their own organisation. Sensitive topics are handled with care throughout.

Target Competencies

Trauma awareness
Psychological first aid
Compassionate leadership
Welfare response planning
Peer support coordination
Responder self-care

Course outline

1Day One: Understanding Reactions to Critical Incidents

What makes an incident psychologically critical
Common emotional, physical and behavioural reactions
The course of recovery over days, weeks and months
Risk and protective factors for longer-term difficulties
Recognising when people need professional help
Myths and misconceptions about trauma and resilience
Discussion: lessons from organisational critical incidents

2Day Two: Psychological First Aid

Principles of psychological first aid in the workplace
Promoting safety, calm and connection
Listening skills and supportive conversations
Practical help and meeting immediate needs
What to avoid saying and doing
Knowing the limits of the supporter's role
Skills practice: supportive conversations

3Day Three: Organisational Welfare Response

Planning welfare support as part of crisis response
Welfare centres, helplines and family liaison
Communicating with affected staff and families
Working with employee assistance and specialist providers
Supporting staff after a colleague's death
Cultural and individual differences in coping
Workshop: planning a welfare response to a scenario

4Day Four: Leadership, Peer Support and Return to Work

The manager's role in supporting affected teams
Setting up peer support programmes
Monitoring wellbeing over time
Phased and supported return to work
Reasonable adjustments and ongoing support
Anniversaries, inquiries and later triggers
Case study: supporting a team after a fatal accident

5Day Five: Caring for Responders and Building Resilience

Stress and fatigue in crisis and response teams
Rotation, rest and debriefing for responders
Self-care strategies for supporters
Building psychological readiness before incidents occur
Embedding welfare in crisis and continuity plans
Evaluating welfare support and learning lessons
Personal action plan for staff welfare after incidents

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in London. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in London, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Dubai, Geneva, Istanbul, Madrid, Munich, Rome, Vienna.

Can I take Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,220 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £1,650 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Crisis Psychology and Staff Welfare after Critical Incidents

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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