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?