Tier 3 · Intensive
Crisis and safety plan
A written plan for what adults will do if a student’s behaviour becomes unsafe.
How to do it
- Describe the warning signs and stages of escalation for this student.
- List what helps at each stage (and what makes it worse).
- Name who responds, who removes other students if needed, and who contacts the family and administration.
- Identify a safe space and how the student gets there.
- Plan the recovery and re-entry process after an incident.
- Review with every adult involved, and update after any incident.
Why it works
- Adults respond calmly and consistently in a crisis
- Protects the student, classmates, and staff
- Clarifies roles before an emergency
When to use it
- Any student whose behaviour has been dangerous to themselves or others
- Students who run from the room or building
- Alongside a BIP
Tips and pitfalls
- Follow your school’s policy on physical intervention and restraint. Only trained staff should use it, and only as a last resort.
- Debrief with staff and the student after incidents to improve the plan.
Templates for this strategy
Crisis and safety plan
Stages of escalation, what helps, who does what, and re-entry after an incident.
Crisis and safety plan.docxABC observation log
Record what happened before, during, and after each incident to find patterns and the likely function of the behaviour.
ABC observation log.docx