S. Self & other awareness
A. Acknowledge & Ask
F. Focus on Listening
E. Empower
Task-focused Conversations
Person-centred Conversations
S.A.F.E Conversation Skills Framework
S — Self & other awareness
A — Acknowledge & Ask
- Connect to build trust, rapport and empathy
- Be genuine and non-judgemental
- Choose the appropriate time and space
- Inquire respectfully into the person's situation
- Be aware of our stigma, bias and judgement
- Be compassionate and allow the person to talk if they want to
F — Focus on Listening
E - Empower
- Connect to build trust, rapport and empathy
- Be genuine and non-judgemental
- Choose the appropriate time and space
- Inquire respectfully into the person's situation
- Be aware of our stigma, bias and judgement
- Be compassionate and allow the person to talk if they want to
S.A.F.E Conversations
Phase
Process
Examples
S. Self and other awareness
Key Skills — Positive intention, genuine care
- Awareness of ourself and others
- Connect to build trust and ra ort
- Be genuine and non-judgemental
- Choose appropriate time and place
- Prepare for the conversation – are you in the right frame of mind? Do you have the time?
- Consider the other person and their situation Where will you have the conversation?
- How will you open the conversation and make a genuine connection?
- How will you open the Hi, how is…………….?
- Would you like to……..?
- Do you have time for a…………?
A. Acknowledge & Ask
Key Skills — Open & closed questions,
empower listening, perspective listening
- Awareness of ourself and others
- Connect to build trust and ra ort
- Be genuine and non-judgemental
- Choose appropriate time and place
- How is…………….?
- What have you been………………..?
- What’s happening?
- I wanted to let you know……………..?
- Are you ok? I’d just noticed……….?
- Are you able to access the resources that could help you….?
F. Focus on Listening
Key Skills – Reflection of feelings, acknowledging, normalising, open & closed questions, empower listening
- Reflect what you are hearing - using their words
- Reflect what you are hearing - using their words
- Be present with the person, and don’t try to solve their problem or give advice
- That must be…………
- I can see that would be……..
- You seem…………
- It sounds like you’rWould you like to talk about that ….?e feeling …
- Would you like to talk about that ….?
E. Empower
Key Skills – Strengths building, normalising, acknowledging, paraphrasing, open & closed questions, summarising & closing, knowledge of resources
- Identify personal and external resources
- Identify personal and external resources
- Support the person to identify their next steps
- Collaboratively work on safety planning if needed
- What have you tried before ………?
- Have you spoken to any……..?
- Do you think that…………?
- Have you thought about talking to……….?
- What support do you think will help you …..?
- We could…………..
- What if I checked in with you…………?
- Thanks for……….., let’s catch up again to…
Summary
Do’s
Don’t
- CONNECT WITH THEM. LET THEM KNOW YOU CARE AND ARE CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELLBEING
- BE DIRECT AND TALK HONESTLY ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS (ASKING QUESTIONS SHOWS THAT YOU CARE)
- LISTEN, NON-JUDGMENTALLY
- ALLOW THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS WITHOUT CHALLENGE OR DEBATE
- ASK WHAT THEY ARE HAPPY FOR YOU TO DISCUSS WITH OTHERS / TEAM. RESPECT THEIR CONFIDENTIALITY
- CONNECT WITH THEM. LET THEM KNOW YOU CARE AND ARE CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELLBEING
- BE DIRECT AND TALK HONESTLY ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS (ASKING QUESTIONS SHOWS THAT YOU CARE)
- LISTEN, NON-JUDGMENTALLY
- ALLOW THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS WITHOUT CHALLENGE OR DEBATE
- ASK WHAT THEY ARE HAPPY FOR YOU TO DISCUSS WITH OTHERS / TEAM. RESPECT THEIR CONFIDENTIALITY