How to Create a Safety Plan

Writing Up the Safety Plan

1. Define the issue or problem. Be precise and clear with the definition.

   • ex. Max inappropriately touches himself while watching television in the family room. This occurs daily.

   • ex. Sally leaves the home whenever Mom turns her back.

2. Be clear about who you need to protect.
   • the child
   • other children
   • pets
   • property
   • ex. Max's behavior is inappropriate for the other children and family members in the home.

   • ex. Sally could become lost or injured in the street.

3. Pinpoint when the behavior occurs, if possible and predictable.
   • When bedroom doors are shut while others are in the room.
   • Left unsupervised.
   • When told no or when limits are set.
   • Before/after visitation with family
   • While doing mindless activities.
   • At night.
4. Determine who is involved in the safety plan.

   • Determine which adult is doing what action.

   • Remember to share the plan with all caregivers, including short term babysitters.

   • ex. Mom or Dad will redirect Max by giving him a stress ball whenever he starts to inappropriately touch himself while watching television.

   • ex. Dad will supervise Sally while Mom cooks dinner.

   Other Ideas for safety plans:

   • Portable door alarms
   • House alarm systems
   • Baby gates
   • Locate locks high on doors that lead to the outside or basement. Never place locks on the outside of bedrooms (to lock children in).
   • Direct line-of-site supervision
   • Discipline ideas/techniques to work on issues
   • No shut doors while playing with friends or siblings
   • No 1-on-1 time with friends or siblings
   • No pets in bedrooms or bathrooms
   • Never alone with pets
   • No roommates
   • Opposite sex parent never left alone with child
   • No overnight stay with friends
   • Secret location of matches and lighters
   • Parent never alone during bath time or tucking in at bedtime
   • Seek help from a therapist or other professional
5. Set a time limit for the safety plan.
   • How long will your plan be in place?

   • How often will you reassess your plan?

   • What change are you looking for within the child or behavior?

6. What if the safety plan fails?

   • If your preventative measures don't work, have a list of crisis numbers to call.

   • Consider a therapist or close friends/family to be on this list.
   • Be prepared to report the incident to the proper case workers or other authorities if the offense is severe enough.
   • If the child's behavior is a crime against another person or property, you may have to call the police.
7. Re-evaluate and ask yourself some questions.
   • How did your plan succeed/fail?
   • When?
   • What worked?
   • What can you do better tomorrow?
   • What did you overlook?