Speak out Stay safe

How it works

Speak out Stay safe consisted of two assemblies for the different age groups, followed by a one hour workshop for older pupils which was delivered by our specially trained volunteers. Teachers were involved throughout so everyone was familiar with the topics covered after the visit.

Due to social distancing and restrictions, we were unable to deliver our face-to-face workshops between 2020 and 2021. However, from September 2021, our face-to-face workshops are being piloted in selected locations and we are looking to broaden our reach to more schools in 2022.

Get in touch with us at schools@nspcc.org.uk to enquire about where we are currently delivering our workshops.

Sign up for the programme

The assembly

The assembly helps children understand about different types of abuse so they can get help if or when they need it.

This includes talking about neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and bullying. We help children to identify a trusted adult they can speak to if they are worried about themselves or a friend. They also learn about Childline, and how the service can support them.

Welsh and British Sign Language (BSL) versions of the online assemblies can also be provided.

There is an online assembly presentation for:

• key stage 1 (England), primary 1-4 (Northern Ireland), primary 1-3 (Scotland), foundation phase years 1-2 (Wales)
• key stage 2 (England), primary 5-7 (Northern Ireland), primary 4-7 (Scotland), key stage 2 (Wales).

Supporting resources 

We provide supporting resources that complement the online assemblies and help reinforce our essential safeguarding messages with children. These consist of:

• a pre-online assembly presentation pack to use before the assembly (key stage 2 – ages 7-11)
• a teaching guidance and a lesson plan to use after the assembly (key stage 1 and 2 – ages 5-11).
  
  

Submit your school's details to access the 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, 2015⁶). 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, 2015⁸).

What we cover: key stage 1

Our online assembly is 20 minutes long and covers a range of topics for children in key stage 1 (England), primary 1-4 (Northern Ireland), primary 1-3 (Scotland) and foundation phase years 1-2 (Wales).

If you’re looking for information on what we cover for key stage 2 (England), primary 5-7 (Northern Ireland), primary 4-7 (Scotland) and key stage 2 (Wales), see the next tab.

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What happens in the assembly

Meet Buddy

The children meet Buddy, a friendly, green speech bubble who believes that children should be able to speak out to someone if they're ever worried or unhappy.

Sometimes things make us happy and sometimes they can make us sad, worried or unhappy. It’s important to understand our feelings and not keep worries to ourselves and that’s what we would like children to know.

Children's rights

The assembly explains that all children have the right to speak out and be heard, to be safe and to get help when they need it.

Explaining the ways that children can be hurt

 We explain the different ways that children can be hurt in a simple, age appropriate way, so that children understand when something's not right.

Speaking out

Children think about grown-ups who may be good to talk to, both in school and out of school.

Getting help

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

Interested in our assembly and class resources?

Submit your school's details to access the programme

What we cover: key stage 2

Our online assembly is 30 minutes long and is usually followed by a one-hour class workshop for key stage 2 (England), primary 5-7 (Northern Ireland), primary 4-7 (Scotland), key stage 2 (Wales).

Workshops are being made available from September 2021 in certain locations and there will be wider availability from 2022. Contact us at schools@nspcc.org.uk to find out more.

You can use our supporting resources after the online assembley to reinforce our essential safeguarding messages for key stage 2 (England), primary 5-7 (Northern Ireland), primary 4-7 (Scotland) and key stage 2 (Wales).

Sign up for the programme

What to expect during the assembly

Meet Buddy

The children meet Buddy, a friendly, green speech bubble who believes that children should be able to speak out to someone if they're ever worried or unhappy.

Sometimes things make us happy and sometimes they can make us sad, worried or anxious. It’s important to understand our feelings and not keep worries to ourselves and that’s what we would like children to know.

What's worrying you?

Children get involved and discuss some of the reasons why a child may feel sad, worried or anxious and need someone to talk to.

Explaining different types of abuse

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

Someone to talk to

Children think about trusted adults who they could talk to if they're worried, 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.

Interested in our assembly and class resources?

Submit your school's details to access the programme

Testimonials

From schools

"The resources were accessible and enabled effective planning and preparation to take place before the assemblies... Children were actively involved, giving opportunities for thinking time and discussion. The presenters captured the children’s attention and engaged them throughout, delivering essential messages about keeping safe in a child-friendly manner. Follow-up activities were fun and meaningful, provoking reflection on the content of the assemblies. We are most grateful to the NSPCC for the continued use of Speak out Stay safe."

Diane Hughes, Grange Primary School, Kilkeel

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

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Evaluation

The evaluation of Speak out Stay (SOSS) safe took place in two phases.

Phase one – initial evaluation

The first phase was completed in September 2018. It was small-scale and carried out by NSPCC researchers in ten schools in England only.

The research looked at data taken from focus groups with pupils who participated in a SOSS session, and interviews with school staff, NSPCC staff and volunteers who delivered the programme. Sessions were also observed against a checklist to record whether the programme was delivered consistently in different schools, and how children and teachers engaged with it.

The initial evaluation allowed us to understand:

• the perceived impact of SOSS on children and schools
• the experiences of pupils, teachers, NSPCC staff and volunteers who take part in the programme
• how the SOSS model is delivered and adapted and what helps and hinders programme delivery.

These initial findings helped us improve the way the programme was delivered and contributed to the design and implementation of the second phase of the evaluation.

Read more about the initial evaluation

Phase 2 - full independent evaluation

For the second phase, a robust impact, process and economic evaluation began in 2018 and was completed in 2021. It was commissioned by the NSPCC and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire, in collaboration with four other UK universities (University of Edinburgh, Bangor University, Queens University Belfast and the University of Greenwich).

The evaluation focused on 74 schools from across the UK, including 34 schools that had not received SOSS in the last two years.  It used similar methods to the initial evaluation, as well as a survey completed by over 3,200 children aged 6-7 and 9-10. The survey was used to investigate the impact of SOSS.

• how children’s understanding and recognition of abuse, neglect and bullying changes after they have taken part in SOSS assemblies and workshops
• whether SOSS improves children’s knowledge of abuse, who they can speak out to, and their readiness to seek help if they or their friends experience abuse and neglect
• the financial and social value of SOSS.

These insights about SOSS will be used to develop the programme. 

Read about the independent evaluation

All data collection methods and materials for both phases of evaluation, including the recruitment and consent process, were given full ethical approval by the NSPCC’s independent Research Ethics Committee.

Thank you to our funders

Both phases of evaluation were supported by The Health Foundation. The second phase of evaluation received financial support from The JMCMRJ Sorrell Foundation.

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.

> Request the Speak out Stay safe online programme

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

Volunteer with us

Our volunteers had to stop delivering the programme in schools due to social distancing and restrictions since the pandemic started, however, we are now excited to start visiting schools again in the autumn term of 2021.

Please note that we are currently not accepting any new applications for volunteer roles. We will be reopening adverts for new volunteers later in the year.

In the meantime, you can sign up for our email alerts if you would like to keep updated on any vacancies reopening in your area.

> Find out more about volunteering opportunities on the NSPCC website

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 us for more information. 

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

Contact us

Speak out Stay safe SEND/ASN/ALN programme

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

We also have a Speak out Stay safe programme for schools who work with children with:

• special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
• additional support needs (ASN)
• additional learning needs (ALN).

The SEND/ASN/ALN programme provides support and resources to help you deliver messages to your pupils about what abuse is and which trusted adults they can turn to for help. We provide access to resources including session plans, films and printable props all of which use our friendly speech bubble mascot called Buddy.

Your local NSPCC Schools Service Schools Coordinator can support your school to deliver the programme by briefing school staff at the start and gathering feedback and learning at the end.

If you feel the Speak out Stay safe SEND/ASN/ALN programme would benefit the children in your school, please fill in our form and we will get in touch with you. You can also contact schools@nspcc.org.uk if you'd like further information about the programme.

Sign up for the SEND/ASN/ALN programme

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
• Guidance on transitioning back to school for the new term

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

Request our Speak out Stay safe programme for your primary school for 2021/22

Please complete and submit the form below to access Speak out Stay safe online.

For secondary school advice and support, including training courses, safeguarding assessments and teaching resources, please visit our safeguarding and child protection in schools pages.