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 (TEC)
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.
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.
The NSPCC also have some useful advice on staying safe online.
You can also visit the ThinkUKnow website which has resources for parent carers as well as for children and young people.
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
- Cambridgeshire: 0345 045 5203
- Peterborough: 01733 864180
- Outside office hours, at weekends and on public holidays contact the emergency duty team on 01733 234724.
The Pegasus Scheme
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, visit the force's website.
Carers for those with communication difficulties are able to register on their behalf.