Situation Tables

Last updated on February 10, 2025

Collaborative Public Safety Programs (CPSP) helps create and enhance Situation Tables and Intervention Circles across B.C.

What are Situation Tables?

Situation Tables are community led. They bring together frontline workers from many sectors. This can include public safety, health and social services. Working together, they help people and families at risk.

Situation Tables collaborate and coordinate to help people get rapid supports and services. This work prevents negative outcomes like victimization, overdose or eviction.

Situation Tables work together to improve well-being, safety and resiliency in communities.

Each community agency handles their own work, and together, they are more effective. The goal is to collaborate, coordinate and rapidly address risk. This includes protecting privacy.

Similarly, Intervention Circles are a partnership of service providers and community supports. They are led by the Nations and offer culturally safe supports. Each community chooses who it would like to participate in the Circle.

Circles guide people away from the policing and justice system towards those who can offer the right supports. This helps reduce cases of harm and victimization.

How do Situation Tables work?

Situation Tables are made up of service agencies. They support individuals and families in crisis. The agencies collaborate, coordinate and help with rapid interventions. People can be referred to the Tables by any service agency in the community.

Rapid

Immediate (usually within 48 hours).

Collaborative

Community partners and agencies work together.
Integrated, often creative, and comprehensive response to multiple needs.

Coordinated

Avoid traditional barriers like waitlists.
If this is not possible, provide interim support.

Image caption: Diagram of agencies or social service sectors that may be involved in a Situation Table, including Mental Health, Health, Addictions, Police, Education, Indigenous and Culturally Specific Services, Housing, Income Assistance, Community-Based Organizations, and Victim Services. There may be other local contributing organizations that take part when needed.

Benefits of Situation Tables

Offer improved service delivery from public safety, health, and social service agencies.
Connect individuals to the resources they need.
Prevent harm or victimization.
Strengthen collaboration, inter-agency relationships and trust.
Support people in crisis through privacy-compliant information sharing.
Inform community safety and well being decisions and policies with risk-based data.

View the 2024 Situation Tables B.C. Annual Report (PDF, 3.7MB)