Why is it helpful for children to be able to name five safe adults in their lives?

1. Diverse Support Network: Having five safe adults means ensuring that children have a diverse support network beyond just their immediate family. These adults can include relatives, family friends, teachers, coaches, neighbors, or mentors who play positive roles in their lives.

2. Accessibility and Availability: Children may encounter situations where they need help or guidance that their parents may not be immediately available to provide. Having multiple safe adults ensures there are several accessible options for them to reach out to in times of need.

3. Building Trust and Comfort: By fostering relationships with multiple safe adults, children develop a sense of trust and comfort in confiding in these individuals. This can empower them to speak up about any concerns, fears, or problems they may face.

4. Different Perspectives and Expertise: Each safe adult brings unique perspectives, expertise, and experiences to the table. This diversity allows children to receive varied advice and support tailored to different aspects of their lives, whether academic, emotional, or social.

5. Preventing Dependency on One Individual: Relying on multiple safe adults helps prevent children from becoming overly dependent on a single person for emotional support or guidance. It encourages them to seek help from various sources and develop independence in decision-making.

6. Safety and Protection: In cases of emergencies or unsafe situations, having five safe adults increases the likelihood of children being able to reach out to someone who can provide immediate assistance or contact parents or authorities if needed.

By fostering a network of five safe adults, parents can enhance their child's safety, emotional well-being, and overall development by ensuring they have multiple sources of support and guidance throughout their upbringing.

At St Thomas the Apostle Primary School we encourage children to identify five safe adults within the school as people that they can talk to. By selecting a range of adults from teachers, education support staff and leaders children are likely to be able to seek advice from one of these people on any given day.