A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of Keeping Safe: Investigating the Effectiveness of a Whole School Preventative Education Programme in Improving Children's Knowledge and Understanding to Keep Safe in Situations of Abuse

Detailed Summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Keeping Safe, a whole school preventative education intervention in improving children's knowledge and understanding to keep safe in situations of abuse. The intervention * Comprises three themes (1) Healthy Relationships; (2) My Body; and (3) Being Safe and includes content across the following keeping safe concepts; bullying, neglect, emotional, physical, domestic and sexual abuse, in online and offline contexts. * Includes activities for the formal and informal school curricula - 63 lessons will be taught to children by their classroom teacher; 3 per term, 9 per year across 7 years from Primary 1 to primary 7 (age 4-11 years). * Each lesson is accompanied by directed homework activities to involve and engage parents and enable them reinforce learning at home. A number of whole school, key stage and year group assemblies have also been prepared. * At the beginning of each term school leaders will deliver a prepared assembly to introduce the theme for the term. Following this assembly each teacher will deliver 3 lessons tailored to the age group of their class and parents will assist with home works. The lessons use eBooks, character animations, stories, rhymes, and interactive whiteboard activities to engage children in their learning. The intervention adopts a whole-school approach and seeks to build the capacity and skills of teachers and parents as key partners. Teachers will receive a comprehensive package of training, ongoing support and resource materials to equip them with the skills they need to effectively communicate sensitive keeping safe messages. Parents will also receive a package of resources to help them feel confident about communicating sensitive messages to their children.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions