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Safety Planning 

During reviews including Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs) and Multi-Agency Case Audits (MACAs) there were inconsistencies in the meaning of a safety plan in different organisations. The plans ranged from verbal advice through to very comprehensive plans which may not have been aligned to each other. A safety plan should be a collaborative process, involving children (where appropriate), families, agencies and organisations in identifying risks and developing solutions.

Effective safety planning should:

• have the safety of children and families as its central objective.
• minimise risk factors and maximise protective factors.
• become a roadmap for the journey from danger to safety, outlining steps, tools, and ongoing processes including information-sharing and regular review to ensure that the safety plan remains up to date and relevant.
• once complete the plan should be shared with partner agencies appropriately (where consent is given).

A Practice Tool has been produced to help create a better shared understanding of Safety Planning. 

Safety Planning Practice Tool (PDF, 2025)