Creating a Safety Plan

This guide will walk you through the process of creating a safety plan, step by step, so that you can feel supported, secure, and ready for anything.

What is a Safety Plan?

A safety plan is a detailed set of instructions that can help you stay safe when you feel at risk or in danger. It’s a plan that you create in advance, so you know exactly what to do if something happens. It can include steps for protecting yourself from harm, who to reach out to for help, and how to make sure you feel safe in different situations. Safety plans are useful in many situations, whether it’s dealing with bullying, abuse, feeling unsafe at home, or even something like getting lost. Having a clear plan can give you peace of mind and help you feel confident that you know what to do in a crisis.

Steps to Create Your Safety Plan

Here are some steps you can follow to create a personal safety plan. Remember, it’s always a good idea to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, school counsellor, or another trusted figure, when you create your plan.

1. Identify Safe Adults You Can Trust

The first step in creating a safety plan is to identify safe adults—people who you trust and feel comfortable going to for help. These adults should be reliable, caring, and ready to support you when you need it. These might be:

• A parent or guardian
• A teacher or school counsellor
• A coach or another trusted adult in your life
• A friend’s parent or a neighbour

Make a list of these people and their contact information (phone numbers, emails, addresses) so you can easily reach out to them if needed.

2. Know How to Reach Out for Help

You need to know how to contact someone when you need help. Think about who you can contact in an emergency, and what methods you can use to reach them (phone, text, email, or in person). If you don’t feel safe talking directly to someone, consider other methods such as:

• Texting or calling a trusted friend or family member
• Sending an email or leaving a message
• Reaching out to a helpline or online service (for example, Childline or NSPCC)

Make sure you feel confident in how to reach these people, even if you're in a stressful situation.

3. Identify Safe Places to Go

In some situations, you may need to leave a location to get to a safer space. Identify places you can go to for safety. These might include:

• A neighbour’s house
• A local public place (like a park or library)
• A trusted family member’s home
• A teacher or school office

Know how to get there and how to reach these places quickly if you ever feel unsafe.

4. Practice Saying “No” and Setting Boundaries

Setting boundaries and learning to say “no” can help you protect yourself in situations where you feel uncomfortable. Think about times when it might be hard to say “no,” such as in social situations or with peers. Practice what you would say if you were ever put in a situation where you need to stand up for yourself. Some examples of boundary-setting include:

• “I don’t feel comfortable with this.”
• “Please stop.”
• “I need to leave now.”

Learning to assert yourself is an important part of your safety plan.

5. Have a Code Word or Secret Signal

Sometimes, it’s hard to speak out or explain that you feel unsafe. A code word or signal with a trusted adult can help you ask for help without alerting others. This can be a word, phrase, or gesture that signals to a trusted adult that you need help or that something is wrong. For example:

• A code word might be “rainbow” or “sunshine.”
• A secret signal might be a gesture like scratching your ear or tapping your foot.

Make sure you practice your code word or signal with the person or people you trust. This way, they know how to respond if they hear it.

6. Know What to Do in an Emergency

You should have a plan for what to do if an emergency happens, like a situation where you feel at risk or if something unsafe occurs. Some things to consider:

• Leave the area immediately if you feel unsafe, and go to a safe place.
• Call emergency services if you are in danger. In the UK, you can call 999 or 112 to reach emergency services.
• Use your phone to call or text a trusted adult for help.

It’s helpful to memorise important phone numbers or store them in your phone so you can reach them quickly.

7. Practice What to Do

Once you’ve created your safety plan, it’s important to practice it. Go over the steps with a trusted adult to make sure you understand them. Practising helps you feel more confident and prepared if you ever need to use the plan. You can even practice things like:

• How to make a phone call in an emergency.
• What to say to get help if you’re feeling unsafe.
• What to do if you need to leave a place quickly.

8. Keep Your Plan Accessible

Make sure your safety plan is easy to access when you need it. Keep a written copy of your plan, with important phone numbers and addresses, in a place where you can get to it quickly. If you have a phone, you can save important contacts and information in a note or contact list.

Tips for Staying Safe

• Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your gut and take action to protect yourself.
• Stay calm: In stressful situations, staying calm can help you think clearly and follow your safety plan.
• Reach out for help early: If you ever feel unsafe, don’t wait until the situation gets worse. Talk to a trusted adult and ask for help.

Key Takeaways

• A safety plan is a set of steps you take to protect yourself in situations where you feel unsafe.
• Identify safe adults who can help and keep their contact details handy.
• Know where your safe places are, and practice how to reach them.
• Set boundaries and practice saying “no” to help protect yourself.
• Use a code word or signal with trusted adults to ask for help without alerting others.
• In emergencies, always remember to call 999 and ask for help.

Remember: You Are Not Alone

Creating a safety plan is about being prepared and knowing that you have options when you need them. You deserve to feel safe, and there are adults who care about you and want to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it—you are stronger than you think.

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