OFFICIAL
Who is worried About what Impact on the child
What we will need to see to know things are safe
How long for?
How to Guide
Danger Statements and Safety Goals
Danger Statement:
Safety Goal:
Lots of examples are available in the Signs of Safety Workbook.
What is a Danger Statement?
Danger Statement(s) give the reasons we are
working with the family in clear simple language.
They include what we are worried could happen if
nothing changes, and the impact of this on the
child/ young person.
What is a Safety Goal?
For each Danger Statement there should be a Safety
Goal.
Safety Goals say what we need to see to feel
confident that the child/ young person is safe
enough for us to step down or close the case.
The Safety goal shows everyone what we are
working together to achieve.
How to write a Danger Statement
There should be one Danger Statement for each
issue. Try not to have any more than three.
1. Start with who is worried
2. Then say what we are worried about – describe
what has happened in the past that has caused
us to be worried, be specific and factual; give
examples. Try not to use professional language
like ‘domestic violence’ or ‘neglect’ – say what the
behaviour is.
3. Then describe the potential impact on the child/
young person in the short and long term if
nothing changes.
How to write a Safety Goal
The Safety Goal says what we need to see to close
the case or step the case down.
Say what professionals will see that tells them that
things are good enough. What will be happening,
how will we know the child/ young person will
be safe in their parents care?
Be specific, and try to focus on good things that will
be happening rather than the bad things that will
have stopped, e.g. say that ‘mum and dad will have
ways to resolve problems in a calm way’ rather than
‘mum and dad will not argue’.
You should say how long you will need to see the
plan working or how long you need to see the
changes be maintained for to be satisfied that this
will continue in the long term.
