Safespace in Schools
In its simplest form, a Safespace can provide a low sensory area for pupils to go to calm down or simply have quiet time out from a busy classroom. Staff can remove pupils displaying challenging behaviour to this safer area to prevent injury to staff and the pupil themselves. This reduces the need for manual ‘holding’ whilst a pupil is in distress.
Pupils can also use the Safespace as a means of managing their own behaviour. They are able to request a time out when they themselves recognise they need it. Those without speech can use laminated symbols to indicate to members of staff that they wish to use the Safespace. We can report that this need seems to reduce over time and in some cases has enabled pupils to drastically reduce their own challenging behaviour.
Safespaces are also used as one to one therapy spaces and as safe areas for pupils to view sensory equipment. All Safespaces are custom made, so can be designed to be multipurpose by inserting viewing panels with removable blinds. We also make soft play shapes and furniture that are suitable for use inside the Safespace. See Accessories.
Many schools have chosen a Safespace instead of room padding. No building work is required, therefore it minimises initial outlay costs. A Safespace can be moved within school, enabling flexible use of space and allowing the Safespace to be moved to where it is most needed, for example when certain pupils move to a new classroom.
Most schools order a Safespace sized 2m x 2m. The area you need for this size is 2.5m x 2.5m. A Safespace can be made up to 3m x 3m and can be designed to fit in either the corner of a large classroom, or to fill a small room.
Please download our Information Sheet and Quote Request Form, or contact us to discuss your requirements. Please see our Schools Film and School Reviews to see how Safespaces have worked in schools around the country.
Hillside Specialist School for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Preston.
Hillside School now has 4 Safespaces, this one is 2m x 3m and has been in use since 2003. The Safespaces play a large part in the classroom environment.
"We couldn't live without ours" said one teacher.
"It's a safe environment where we can take our pupils and we know that they will be safe in there"
"It is indispensable!"
Thanks to Hillside school for their help and permission to use images.
The Safespace as a sensory space
The Safespace as a play/sensory area, chill-out zone, or therapy space
The Safespace can be extremely useful for use as a safe play/sensory space, a chill-out zone, or as a low stimulation therapy space.
The Safespace is often used as a play space for people who are not safe in other types of sensory rooms or play areas. Sometimes they may not be safe being allowed to handle sensory equipment, but still benefit from being able to view lighting and listen to music positioned outside the Safespace. Some sensory areas use wall padding which can be vulnerable to damage, the Safespace is completely smooth inside. You can put all manner of soft play items inside the Safespace and we can also install a fixed or removable ballpool.
and the Safespace as a low-sensory environment
The other advantage over purpose built sensory rooms using padded panels, is that a Safespace is a free-standing portable unit; it can therefore be moved to a different area if required. It needs no building work for installation, reducing your initial outlay costs and because it can be moved, it enables you to meet the constantly changing demands on use of space.
The Safespace is a perfect piece of equipment for use as a chill-out zone. Because of its flexibility, you can use it as a low sensory space only, or with the addition of viewing panels with blinds, combine its use as a sensory room at other times. With only a viewing panel high up in the door for monitoring, the Safespace creates a safe, soothing, calm area for those who may just need time out in a low sensory space to calm down or relax before returning to the busy classroom. Many schools use the Safespace in this way and we have reports that this has helped reduce challenging behaviour in the classroom. Some children are able to recognise on their own when they would benefit from having time-out and have requested it, either verbally or by using symbols.
The Safespace can be a perfect space to carry out one to one intensive therapies. Away from the distractions of an ordinary room either at home or in school, clients have reported to us that people have responded well to using the Safespace in this way.