The National Certificate in Social Service Work in Suicide Intervention (Level 4) is a qualification for social service workers who (in the course of their social service work) are likely to encounter people who are at risk of suicide.

People awarded this qualification are able to recognise, respond to, and report suicide risk factors and signs of distress in a person, and refer on for professional assessment and intervention. Their work is informed by knowledge of selected aspects of mental health, loss and grief, and contextual factors related to suicide. They work within the framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ethics, and relevant legislation. They have limited autonomy, and work under professional and managerial supervision.

The qualification is designed for those social service workers who have already been awarded one of the prerequisite qualifications or who demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. It does not lead on to any other qualification. There is also a National Certificate in Social Service Work in Suicide Intervention (Level 6) [Ref: 0826], but that qualification is for social service workers who have first completed a professional qualification in social services at level 6, or equivalent qualification from outside the National Qualification Framework.

Unit 7917, Demonstrate self awareness in relation to social services work is a compulsory unit standard for this qualification. Unit 7917 is included in the National Diploma in Social Services with strands in Community Work, Counselling, and Social Work (Level 6) [Ref: 0251], and the National Diploma in Youth Work (Level 6) [Ref: 0670], so holders of either of those qualifications will have credit for that unit standard.

Unit 7963, Contribute to the empowerment of people experiencing oppression and marginalisation is a compulsory unit standard for this qualification. People awarded this qualification will understand the concepts of oppression and marginalisation as a result of factors that include but are not limited to abuse, disabilities, gender, poverty, race, or sexual orientation, and will understand the relationship between oppression and marginalisation and suicide risk. Unit standard 7963 is included in the National Certificate in Iwi/Maori Social Services (Level 4) [Ref: 0666], and the National Certificate in Social Services (Level 4) [Ref: 0250], so holders of either of those qualifications will have credit for that unit standard.