Debriefing Staff workshop, 20 September 2012, London, UK

Recent events in Egypt, Syria, Mali, South Sudan and other countries have seen many agencies responding by setting up operations, increasing staff numbers and sending international assignees to the regions. As such, many mission personnel and aid workers would benefit from debriefing. Dr Lovell-Hawker has been involved with providing resources for all these situations.

This workshop is an opportunity for participants to learn how to offer effective debriefing and support staff returning from relief, development or missionary assignments, whether short- or long-term. Aimed at HR practitioners, line managers and other potential debriefers, this interactive workshop, facilitated by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Debbie Lovell-Hawker, should not be missed.

The focus of the workshop is on personal debriefing rather than operational debriefing, which is recommended in codes of good practice as an important part of our duty of care. The day will feature plenty of time for questions and discussion, as well as time to network with peers from the sector and to learn from other similar organisations.

Workshop highlights:

• Practical steps on how to carry out a full debriefing
• The opportunity to discuss and question individual problems/challenges
• Role-play debriefing followed by feedback
• A copy of the up-to-date comprehensive handbook on Debriefing Staff, developed and updated over the last 10 years

By the end of the workshop participants will:

• Have developed skills in debriefing staff who have returned home from assignments
• Be able to differentiate between different types of debriefing
• Be aware of the effectiveness of debriefing, and of what to avoid to ensure that it does not have a negative effect
• Be able to recognise signs of stress and trauma and know when, how and where to refer personnel for further help
• Have increased their knowledge of stress management strategies and of how to help people identify the strategies which work for them
• Be aware of cross-cultural issues which should be considered in relation to debriefing
• Know how to take care of themselves and deal with their own stress.

Facilitator:

Dr Debbie Lovell-Hawker is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working with InterHealth. Prior to this, she worked for the Oxford University Psychiatry Department for nine years. She has also acted as a consultant for several INGOs and faith-based organisations. This work has taken her to many parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America and Eastern Europe, including recent work in Burundi, DR Congo, Darfur, Nicaragua, Nepal, Pakistan and South Africa, and with evacuees from Lebanon.

Book your place on the Debriefing Staff workshop

Date:                 Thursday 20 September 2012

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