At home after a difficult school day, in a classroom following an upset, or during a child support session, adults often need simple reminders of the small actions that build a child’s sense of safety. This colourful poster offers ten practical ideas for parents, carers, foster carers, teachers and support workers who want to help children and young people feel heard, secure and able to ask for help.
Everyday care is shaped by the promises adults keep, the routines they maintain and the way they respond when a child is distressed. The poster sets out ten child safety and emotional security strategies, beginning with doing what you say you will do and explaining plans, changes and what will happen next.
Several points focus on communication during challenging moments. Children are encouraged to share difficult things when adults stay calm, take worries seriously and remain nearby without immediately trying to fix the problem. These ideas can support conversations about listening, reassurance, co-regulation and helping a child feel less alone.
Boundaries and repair are also addressed clearly. The content includes making mistakes feel safe, respecting a child’s “no” around hugs, tickling and physical affection, and reconnecting after arguments or bad days through apologies and discussion. These are useful prompts for adults working to strengthen trust and emotional safety with kids.
Parents, kinship carers, foster parents, primary school staff and family support practitioners could print the poster for a kitchen, classroom, staff room or meeting space. It may be used as a gentle parenting reminder, a discussion prompt in parenting work, or a starting point for agreeing consistent responses around routines, worries and difficult behaviour.
