Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We recognise that all people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), irrespective of their age, are a particularly important group to us as they can be considered as more at risk and vulnerable to the dangers of fire.

However, each individual or group that we visit will have different circumstances and needs and we appreciate that in these cases traditional teaching approaches, such as using a single generic session, may not necessarily create the most suitable and effective learning opportunities.

What is SENDSafe?

Rather than using a single generic session plan, SENDSafe is a toolkit of 31 activities, most lasting around 15 minutes, that can be mixed and matched to allow the people with SEND to learn about both fire safety and other safety themes as much as possible through their senses so that they have opportunities to touch, smell, see and hear.

This should help make the sessions as fun, interactive and educational as possible.

SENDSafe covers:

  • Concept of fire

  • Fire hazards

  • Smoke alarms

  • Escaping from fire

  • Calling the fire and rescue service

  • What to do if your clothes catch on fire

  • Practical enrichment activities (finding out about firefighter’s uniform/fire engine etc.)

  • Involving parents/carers

  • Thematic safety input (water safety, fireworks and bonfires, road safety etc.)

Each session also has an evaluation process.

SENDSafe toolkit

This toolkit contains 31 activities you can do with people with SEND. Please click on the link below to read more or download the document.

How to book?

We appreciate that that teachers/carers know their learners best and so close liaison between the teacher/carer and fire and rescue service personnel is essential.

It is recommended that a meeting take place prior to the actual session(s) taking place to determine the bespoke format, including content and approach/means of delivery. This will help make sure that the learner’s needs are understood and that the setting is appropriate for the activities being considered.

For further information please contact email enquiries@lancsfirerescue.org.uk (opens a new draft email).