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Safety plans

A safety plan is a forward-looking document you build with a family to keep someone safe — covering warning signs, coping steps, supports to reach out to, and how to make the environment safer. FCR supports several plan types so the content fits the situation.

Who can do this

Staff members assigned to the family create and edit the plan; the author's supervisor or a Practice Manager approves it.

Step 1 — Choose the plan type

When you start a safety plan, pick the type that fits:

  • General
  • Suicide
  • Domestic violence
  • Self-harm
  • Child safety

The type determines which sections are required — FCR asks for the content appropriate to that kind of plan.

Step 2 — Fill in the plan

Work through the sections with the family. As with other documents, the draft autosaves as you go. You can optionally point the plan at a specific family member and link it to the referral it relates to.

Step 3 — Capture the family's signature

A safety plan is something the family commits to, so it captures a family member's signature — drawn right on your device during the visit.

Step 4 — Submit

Like treatment plans, a safety plan can be in effect as soon as you submit it, so the family can use it immediately, with supervisor approval as the final sign-off. FCR checks that the required sections for the chosen plan type are filled in before it will submit.

Discarding a plan

You (or a supervisor acting on your behalf) can discard a plan only while it's unsigned. Once it's been signed and is in effect, it's part of the record.

Frequently asked questions

Can the family use the plan before the supervisor approves it? Yes. Submitting puts it in effect so the family can act on it right away; the supervisor's approval is the final sign-off.

What if I pick the wrong plan type? Each type asks for different required content, so choose the one that matches the situation. If you're not sure, your supervisor can advise.

Where does the family signature happen? On your device, during the visit — the family member draws it directly on screen.


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