4 Step Training Process

4 steps to safe, confident delivery of suicide-specific care

Our training pathway is designed to ensure clinicians and frontline professionals feel confident using the CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) Framework® safely, effectively and with clinical fidelity.

Each stage of the training has been developed to build understanding, practical skill, and reflective capacity.

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Flexible, supportive, clinically grounded

CAMS training is designed to be accessible and relevant to practice.

Whether you’re working in acute mental health, education or community services, the training is adaptable to your context and offers a consistent approach to working with suicidality.

Step 1

Foundational reading – Managing Suicide Risk

Participants are introduced to the core clinical concepts behind CAMS through the required text:
Managing Suicide Risk: A Collaborative Approach by Professor David A. Jobes

This in-depth clinical guide:

Explains the theory and structure behind the CAMS framework
Includes real-world case examples and documentation samples
Introduces the Suicide Status Form (SSF) as the central tool for collaborative assessment, formulation and treatment planning

Why it matters:

Reading this before the live training ensures all participants arrive with a shared foundation and helps tie together evidence, practice and documentation from the start.

Step 2

Watch the foundation video

Self-paced video course (approximately four hours)
Participants complete a four-hour video-based course that introduces each stage of the CAMS process, from initial assessment to resolution planning.

The course includes:

A structured overview of CAMS theory and evidence base
Step-by-step walkthrough of the Suicide Status Form (SSF)
Clinical demonstrations using real-world case scenarios
Opportunities to reflect on key concepts before live skills practice

Why it matters:

The on-demand format allows you to work at your own pace (access is available for 60 days) and ensures understanding of the structure of the framework before moving into role-play training.

Step 3

Practice

Interactive role-play workshop (one day)

This one-day session focuses on developing practical skills in a supported environment. Facilitated by experienced CAMS trainers, the day includes:

Live modelling of a full CAMS session
Role-play in small breakout groups (virtually or in person)
Feedback and guidance from trainers and peers
Time to ask questions and reflect on applying CAMS in your setting

Training can be delivered:

Virtually, using structured breakout rooms to simulate small-group clinical practice

In person, for services that prefer face-to-face delivery

Why it matters:

This stage bridges theory and practice, helping participants feel more confident using CAMS with real service users. Most clinicians report they feel ready to apply CAMS after this session.

Step 4

Apply your learning

Supervision (four follow-up sessions)

After training, participants are supported through four 60–90 minute supervision calls.

These sessions provide:

Space to reflect on real cases
Support in using the Suicide Status Form with fidelity
Problem-solving around challenges or service-specific contexts
Peer learning with fellow clinicians using CAMS in practice

Why it matters:

Supervision reinforces safe implementation, builds confidence, and helps ensure CAMS is used in a way that aligns with its evidence base, especially during the early stages of integration.