A family safety plan does not predict that a crisis will happen. It gives people a calm way to respond if it does. Prepared with realistic agreements, checked information, and mutual support, it reduces improvisation and protects each person autonomy.
Begin with a possible conversation#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe.
Choose an unhurried time and ask questions that do not assign blame. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Separate emergency risk and conflict#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Write down what needs emergency services and what can use mediation or nearby support. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Agree contacts and safe places#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Agree two contacts and an alternative meeting point if phones or transport fail. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Prepare essential information#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Keep numbers, allergies, and support needs in a private record seen only by necessary people. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Organize medicine documents and care#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Prepare a small replenishment list and confirm prescriptions with the health centre. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Plan a safe exit from violence#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Where there is control or violence, prioritize leaving safely and contact specialist support. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Support children and teenagers#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Explain choices in age-appropriate language and rehearse asking for help without adult burdens. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Include disability care and pets#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Ask directly about barriers and make sure assistance reaches people who need support. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Use technology carefully#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Check permissions, location settings, and passwords before sharing digital information. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Practise without causing alarm#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Run a short practice, correct confusion, and stop if anyone becomes distressed. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Coordinate school neighbours and work#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Share only necessary details with trusted people who can take the agreed role. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Review the plan after change#
A useful plan starts by describing one concrete situation and listening to what every family member needs to feel safe. It is not necessary to solve every scenario in one afternoon. Record observable decisions: who to call, where to meet, what information to share, and which signal means help is needed. Check that the measures respect age, privacy, mobility, and each person responsibilities. Do not promise secrecy when there is serious danger; explain calmly when professional services must be contacted. Keep an accessible copy and review the agreement when housing, health, work, or caring relationships change.
Replace a measure that does not work before it becomes an impossible obligation. Mantenga el acuerdo por escrito, compruebe que se entiende y revise el siguiente paso con quienes participan.
Three concrete ways to turn intention into support#
Case 1: after a power cut, a family agreed on an accessible torch, a contact outside the neighbourhood, and checking a grandmother refrigerated medicine. Case 2: a teenager returning late chose a code word to request collection without explaining by message. Case 3: two siblings agreed to move to separate spaces and call an aunt before continuing an escalating argument. Each family reviewed the plan after testing it.
Sources for checking information and seeking help#
Consult Civil Protection and Emergency services for incident guidance, the Ministry of Health and regional health service for care and medicines, 016 and public services for violence against women for specialist safety support, the Spanish Data Protection Agency for digital privacy, UNICEF Spain for children participation, and municipal social services for local support. Call 112 in immediate danger.
