Staying Safe (Local Offer)

 Back
Toddler opening the oven door

Staying Safe

Parents of young children know all too well the importance of thoroughly childproofing the home. However, for parents of children with learning, social and behavioral issues, safety is a particularly pressing concern regardless of the child's age.

Parents must modify their children's environment to promote special needs safety well into adolescence and beyond. A few essential safety tips for children with neurobehavioural challenges include being mindful of sharp objects and reducing the risk of wandering.

 

Safety at home

Ensuring your home is safe

There are a range of measures you can consider to ensure that your home is safe for you and your family.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue have created a leaflet about Fire Safety.

The NSPCC have resources for staying safe at home.

Technology Enabled Care

What is Technology Enabled Care (TEC)?

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) includes sensors that can alert parents to a child's movements.  TEC can include:

Epilepsy sensors

Seizure activity is often complex but certain types of seizure can be detected electronically via combinations of continuous movements, noise and in some cases pulse rate change. Detectors are usually used overnight under the mattress of your child's bed. Alerts can be raised via a pager or a smart device.

Door alarms

Door alarms can help to ensure your child's safety by notifying you if the child goes through a door. Alarms can be applied to internal or external doors.

Home activity sensors

Home activity sensors use small motion detectors to check on the movements and activity of a child. These can include bed sensors and chair sensors.

Home safety

This includes smoke or flood detectors to raise alerts remotely when activated. 

Smart Flat

You can see a range of assistive technology solutions by vising the Smart Flat at Kingfisher Court.  Find out more on the Adults Technology Enabled Care page.

Staying Safe Online

Advice for Parents and Carers

Navigate the range of expert advice guides to support children who may be more likely to experience online risks such as those with additional needs, disabilities, or certain lifestyles.

From browsing the internet to gaming online, you’ll find practical tips to equip children and young people with the right tools to thrive online.

Inclusive Digital Safety advice hub

Navigate the range of expert advice guides to support children who may be more likely to experience online risks such as those with additional needs, disabilities, or certain lifestyles.

From browsing the internet to gaming online, you’ll find practical tips to equip children and young people with the right tools to thrive online.

View the Inclusive Digital Safety advice hub

Help your children get the most out of the Internet - Advice from Thinkuknow

View the Thinkuknow advice for parents

NSPCC - Keeping children safe online

We all have a part to play in keeping children safe online. Find out how with the NSPCC  online safety guides.

View the NSPCC online safety guides

How to Stay Safe Online – Guidance for Adults and Young People with Learning Disabilities

Digital Safeguarding

Everyone should understand the risks of online scams and grooming. 

The Ann Craft trust have gathered three guides to staying safe online. Each explains the issue in simple terms, with clear pictures to aid understanding.

View the guides to staying safe online

How to be safe when live streaming.

This e booklet produced by the Ann Craft Trust provides lots of useful information.

View the Ann Craft information about how to be safe when live streaming

I’ve made a new friend online. But I’m worried. What do I do?

This information is provided in Easy Read and will help you know what to do

View the I’ve made a new friend online. But I’m worried. What do I do? easy read document

Social Media Online Safety Guides

These one-page guides written by the Safet Centre explain how you can stay safer on social media. View the social media safety guides - they cover apps such as:

  • Airdrop
  • Discord
  • Facebook
  • Hoop
  • HiPal
  • Instagram
  • iOS Privacy
  • JustTalk
  • JustTalk Kids
  • Kik
  • Messenger
  • Nearby share
  • Reddit
  • Snapchat
  • Strava
  • Telegram
  • TikTok
  • Tumblr
  • Twitch
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Wink
  • Wizz
  • Yubo
  • Zoom

Safeguarding children and young people

Useful information

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility.  The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Children Partnership Board has lots of useful information.

If you think that a child or young person is being abused or neglected call

  • Peterborough: 01733 864180
  • Cambridgeshire: 0345 045 5203
  • Outside office hours, at weekends and on public holidays contact the emergency duty team on 01733 234724.
The Pegasus scheme

New scheme launched for people with communication difficulties

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has launched a scheme to improve the service it provides to people with communication difficulties.

Cambridgeshire is among a handful of forces nationwide to implement the Pegasus scheme, which is free-to-join for residents.

It allows police officers and call handlers to quickly find members’ personal details and how they prefer to communicate.

Pegasus scheme

Through Pegasus, information which was previously difficult to provide in tough situations can be accessed immediately, meaning call takers can skip to why they need police.

Each member is given a unique PIN on a card and key fob, and has their name, address and communication preference held on a secure database, which, with their consent, can be shared with other emergency services.

Sign up for the scheme

To sign up for the scheme, fill out the form on the force’s website.

Carers for those with communication difficulties are able to register on their behalf.

Videos

Falls Prevention for Families With Children With Special Needs
General Fire Safety for Families of Children with Special Needs
Fire Safety for Families with Children Who Are Immobile
Fire Safety for Families With Children Who Are Visually Or Hearing Impaired
Fire Safety for Families with Children With Cognitive Impairments

External Links

  1. NSPCC - Keeping children safe in the home
  2. Internet Matters/SWGfl
  3. ThinkUKnow website
  4. MENCAP information on staying safe

Actions

Skip back to top of page