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Safety Meter

A five-level tool that helps children reflect on how safe a situation feels.

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Development status

Status: In development

This solution is being designed and developed. Details may change before it becomes available.

Framework layers

  • Child
  • Parent/Caregiver
  • Digital

Overview

About Safety Meter

Children do not always have the words to describe how a situation makes them feel. The Safety Meter offers five clearly labelled levels, each with a name, a symbol, a colour and a simple explanation, so children can reflect on a situation and decide what to do next.

The Safety Meter is a learning and conversation tool. It is not a diagnosis, a risk prediction or a guarantee that any situation is safe. If a child feels uncomfortable, worried or unsure, that feeling always matters more than any level on the meter.

Intended audience

  • Children, introduced by a teacher, parent or caregiver
  • Educators using it as part of classroom safety learning
  • Families who want a shared language for talking about feelings and safety

Purpose

To give children a shared, age-appropriate vocabulary for describing how situations feel, and to connect every level to a practical next step, including talking to a trusted adult.

The five levels

Simple words for how a situation feels

Each level has a name, a number, a symbol and a short explanation, with a clear next step. Colour supports the labels but is never the only signal.

  1. Level 1

    Deep Green

    “I feel calm and comfortable.”

    Things feel okay. I know what is happening and I feel relaxed with the people around me.

    What to do: Keep enjoying what you are doing, and remember you can always talk to a trusted adult about anything.

    Getting help: Even when things feel fine, you can share your day with someone in your Safety Circle.

  2. Level 2

    Light Green

    “I feel mostly okay, but I have a small question.”

    Something is a little new or different, and I would like to understand it better.

    What to do: Ask a trusted adult your question. Asking is always a good choice.

    Getting help: A parent, caregiver or teacher can help you understand what is happening.

  3. Level 3

    Yellow

    “I feel unsure or a bit uncomfortable.”

    Something does not feel quite right. I am confused, or I do not like what is happening.

    What to do: Pause, and tell a trusted adult how you feel as soon as you can.

    Getting help: Your feelings matter. A trusted adult will listen and help you work out what to do.

  4. Level 4

    Orange

    “I feel worried or upset.”

    Something feels wrong. I want it to stop, or someone has asked me to keep a secret that makes me feel bad.

    What to do: Say no if you can, move away, and tell a trusted adult straight away.

    Getting help: If the first adult does not help, keep telling other trusted adults until someone does.

  5. Level 5

    Red

    “I feel scared or unsafe.”

    I feel in danger, or someone is hurting me or making me feel very frightened.

    What to do: Get away if you can and get help from a trusted adult immediately.

    Getting help: Adults should contact emergency services straight away if a child is in immediate danger.

The most important rule

If a child feels uncomfortable, worried or unsure, that feeling always matters, whatever level they choose. Any concern should be taken seriously by a trusted adult. The Safety Meter is a learning tool, not a test, a diagnosis or a prediction of risk, and it never shows that a situation is definitely safe.

Potential benefits

Why it matters

  • Provides a simple, consistent vocabulary between children and adults
  • Links each feeling to a practical, age-appropriate next step
  • Encourages early conversations before worries grow
  • Supports, rather than replaces, adult judgement and safeguarding procedures

These are intended benefits. Outcomes will be reported only when supported by evidence.

How it fits the framework

  • Child layer

    Children use the levels to reflect on situations and choose a next step.

  • Parent/Caregiver layer

    Families use the same words at home, making it easier for children to speak up.

  • Digital layer

    An interactive version is being explored, designed to avoid collecting sensitive personal data.

Implementation considerations

  • Introduce the meter through stories and examples, not real personal experiences
  • Always pair the meter with guidance on trusted adults and help-seeking
  • Ensure adults know how to respond if a child uses the meter to raise a concern
  • Provide text labels and symbols so the meter never relies on colour alone

Safeguarding and privacy

  • The Safety Meter is not a validated clinical, forensic or statutory assessment instrument.
  • A reassuring level must never override a child's discomfort, a disclosure or a need for help.
  • Responses must not be used to make decisions about a child without qualified professional involvement.
  • Any digital version must apply privacy-by-design and must not store identifiable reflections without a lawful basis and appropriate safeguards.

An educational and preventive tool

Safety Meter supports learning and preparedness. It does not replace statutory child-protection authorities, emergency services, qualified professionals or a setting’s established safeguarding procedures.

Related solutions

Works well alongside

PREPARE. PREVENT. PROTECT.

Explore the Safety Meter with us

We welcome conversations with educators, child-development specialists and safeguarding professionals.

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