Speak out Stay safe

What we cover: 5-7 years

Our virtual assembly is 20 minutes long and covers the topics below.

You can use our lesson plans and resources to reinforce our essential safeguarding messages.

What happens in the assembly

About Buddy

We talk about how Buddy is a speech bubble because we believe children should speak out if they have any worries.

Children's rights

The assembly explains that all children have the right to speak out and have their views taken seriously, be kept safe and get help when they need it.

Sam's story

We tell a story about Sam. The story demonstrates the importance of speaking out about any worries a child may have.

Forms of hurt

We explain the different forms of hurt in a simple age-appropriate way so children understand when something is not right. 

Speaking out

Children think about safe adults who may be good to talk to, both in school and out of school.

Childline

Children learn about Childline, and how they can get in contact if they're worried or need to talk.

Ready to get started? 

Sign up for Speak out Stay safe

What we cover: 7-11 years

Our virtual assembly is 30 minutes long and covers the topics below. 

You can use our supporting lesson plans and resources to reinforce our essential safeguarding messages. 

What happens in the assembly

Sack of worries

We talk about the types of worries a child might have. We use bricks to represent worries and put them in the sack. We then use the sack of worries to talk about safe adults a child could talk to. With each example, a brick is removed. 

Definitions of abuse

We explain the different types of abuse in a simple, age-appropriate way, so children understand when something is not right.

Speaking out

Children think about safe adults who may be good to talk to, both in school and out of school.

Childline

Children learn about Childline, and how they can get in contact if they're worried or need to talk.

Ali's story

We tell a story about Ali. This demonstrates the importance of speaking out about any worries a child may have.

Children's rights

The assembly explains that all children have the right to speak out and have their views taken seriously, be kept safe and get help when they need it. 

Ready to get started? 

Sign up for Speak out Stay safe

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and additional needs (ASN/ALN)

We've developed Speak out Stay safe for children aged 9-11 (and some older pupils at teachers' discretion) with special educational needs and disabilities and additional needs. This programme supports schools to teach children about what abuse is and safe adults they can turn to for help. We provide everything schools need, including session plans and films, alongside printable resources and props.

These materials are intended for children with moderate learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions or other additional learning needs.

The sessions create a positive environment by using the friendly character of Buddy, the idea of a safe circle and clear ground rules. 

They also use stories about four child characters to present some of the sensitive issues around abuse in a way that's appropriate to help pupils understand. 

Your Schools Co-ordinator will support you in setting up the programme, including briefing staff and gathering feedback. You'll also have access to resources including session plans, films and printable props - all of which include our friendly speech bubble mascot called Buddy. The programme is available in English and Welsh.

If you work with d/Deaf children, we have a version of the Speak out Stay safe programme that is available in British Sign Language (BSL) which you can request via our online form. 

Email schools@nspcc.org.uk to find out more or sign up today.

Sign up for SOSS SEND/ASN/ALN programme

Testimonials

From schools

"Given the sensitive nature of the topic of abuse the virtual assembly managed it thoughtfully, purposefully and in a way that children could understand and relate to. It was at a primary level, yet the meaning was not lost. Such was the presentation of it, no child would have gone away traumatised by what they heard, which is obviously the most crucial factor. Well done NSPCC for taking an exceedingly difficult subject and bringing it down to a child's level."

Richard Ewart, Strandtown Primary School

From children

"I liked Buddy and still remember the number you taught us. It's nice knowing that Childline is always here for me if I ever need them."

Girl, age 11

"It was really good to hear about Childline and to know that I can talk to you about anything. I have been getting bullied at school so I have been feeling quite sad. Knowing that Childline is always here for children really helps."

Boy, age 11

From parents

"My daughter thought the volunteers were fantastic, really real people, very warm and friendly."

Sally, Prestatyn

Sign up for our online programme

Evidence 

Facing stressful life experiences at a young age can have a long term impact on a child’s wellbeing, with effects lasting into adulthood (Public Health Wales, 2016)¹. It’s vital that adults know how to spot the signs that a child is being abused and provide appropriate support, but we also need to help children speak out about anything that’s making them uncomfortable. This will help make sure the abuse ends sooner and children can access the right support to help them get back on track.

However research tells us it can take children years to tell someone about experiencing abuse and neglect, if they disclose at all (Allnock and Miller, 2013)².

One of the reasons for this is that children lack knowledge and understanding about abuse and neglect. Many children do not recognise their experiences as abusive (McElearney et al, 2011)³, or do not have the language to disclose the abuse (Alaggia et al, 2017)⁴.

School-based education programmes about specific forms of abuse have been found to improve children’s knowledge and understanding up to six months later (Fellmeth et al, 2013⁵; Walsh et al, 2015)⁶. Research has also identified increased rates of disclosures about sexual abuse and bullying following school-based education programmes (Finkelhor et al, 2014⁷; Walsh et al, 2015).

Evaluation

We commissioned an independent evaluation to examine the impact the Speak out Stay Safe programme has on children's understanding of abuse and harm and their help-seeking behaviour. 

The research confirmed that there is a need for the programme, that it has multiple benefits for children, and that children and school staff viewed it as important and relevant. 

> Read the final report

Support us

We believe it's important that our Speak out Stay safe programme is available to every primary school at no cost to the school.

As a charity we can only do this thanks to our many generous supporters and amazing volunteers.

Volunteer with us

Play a vital role in helping children understand abuse and giving them the confidence to speak out if they need help by becoming an NSPCC Schools Service volunteer.

> Find out more about volunteering opportunities in schools on our Volunteer Hub

Fundraise for us

Speak out Stay safe is available at no cost to schools, thanks to the financial support and generosity of our supporters.

If you'd like to take part in a fundraising event to help us continue this work, take a look at our fundraising ideas for schools on the NSPCC website or email schoolsfundraising@nspcc.org.uk for more information. 

Register your interest in a Speak out Stay safe online assembly today.

Contact us

More resources

We work with primary and secondary schools across the UK and Channel Islands. In addition to Speak out Stay safe, we have specialist resources, lesson plans and training to help schools safeguard children. This includes:

• Child protection training courses
• Designated and lead officer training
• Monthly Safeguarding in Education Updates email
• Teaching resources
• Briefings and factsheets on key topics
• Self-assessment tool to audit your safeguarding procedures

You can also find out more about what to do if a child talks about abuse in our recognising and responding to abuse page.