The transition to secondary school – supporting your child to be streetwise
Image: A primary school-age girl and her mum sitting on a bed holding hands, smiling at each other,
Independence is something young people should strive for — it’s a healthy and essential part of their development. It’s important to ensure they have the right support and guidance to help them navigate this journey with confidence.
As their freedom increases, you can’t always be there to protect them. Instead, your role begins to shift – from protecting to preparing.
By teaching simple personal safety skills, such as recognising risks, trusting instincts and making positive choices, we can empower our children to feel confident, aware and ready to manage this important transition.
Five simple ways to support your child’s personal safety
1. Redefine the term ‘personal safety’
Personal safety isn’t about being tough or standing your ground. It’s about choosing safety when danger is imminent.
This gives your child the option to…
- Walk away
- Avoid a situation
- Ask for help
- Use their words to move to safety
2. Build safety nets
Safety nets are simple plans that help your child feel secure.
Talk through:
- Safe places they can go if they feel uncomfortable
- Trusted adults they can turn to
- What to do if something doesn’t feel right
Your relationship with your child is key. Make sure your child feels they can talk to you openly, without fear of judgement. When children feel safe to share, they are more likely to ask for help early.
3. Encourage confident body language
How your child carries themselves matters.
Encourage them to:
- Walk with their heads held high
- Keep their shoulders back
- Stay aware of what is around them
- Move calmly, confidently and assertively
This shows awareness and confidence. People looking to cause harm to others often avoid those who are alert and look prepared.
4. Use mobile phones wisely
Phones can help keep children safe, but they can also be a distraction and in some cases can make them a target.
Encourage your child to:
- Stay aware when walking (not glued to their screen)
- Avoid wearing headphones that block out sound
- Keep their phones out of sight in busy places
It’s about balance – using the phone as a tool, not losing awareness.
5. Trust the ‘3 Is’: Instinct, intuition and intelligence
Children have a natural ability to sense when something isn’t right and when they are facing a dangerous situation.
Teach them to:
- Notice the feeling (instinct)
- Recognise that it means something (intuition)
- Act (intelligence)
Action might mean leaving a situation, calling you or finding help. Trusting that feeling is a powerful safety skill.
As children build awareness and practical skills, their confidence grows. This confidence helps them to make better decisions in challenging situations, enabling them to navigate the world more safely.
Together we can make the world a safer place. One child at a time.
The Streetwise Project is a free community for parents who want to raise streetwise children. Join their community of parents on their website.
-
Supporting your autistic child’s move to secondary school
26 September 2025The move from primary to secondary school can feel overwhelming for any child, but for autistic children it can present additional challenges. With the right preparation, support and adjustments, you can help make the transition as smooth as possible. We asked the experts at BeyondAutism to answers some of the most common questions parents ask when preparing for this important step. -
Helping your child succeed in secondary school
02 February 2026The jump from primary to secondary is a big one, and a little structured support at home can make that transition feel way smoother. With new routines, expectations, and environments, it’s natural to wonder how best to support your child through this transition.
