01 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
Calling for help
Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding focus · Whole-school assembly
Calling for help
What to say, who to tell, and how to get help safely.
20 minutes
Think, point, speak or watch.
Nobody is put on the spot.
When you dial 999, what is the very first question the operator asks?
Discussion / choices: Which service do you need? · Why did you not fix it yourself? · What is your postcode from memory?
Key idea: The operator asks 'Which service do you need?' (Ambulance, Police, or Fire) and then guides you calmly step by step.
Presenter: Introduce the focus calmly: knowing what to say and who to tell so nobody freezes or feels scared to ask for help.
02 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
One call changes everything
Watch the scene. Pause at the prediction point and name what the caller should tell the operator.
You do not need medical training to save a life — making the call starts the help.
Someone collapses on the ground and will not wake up. A bystander takes a slow breath and checks it is safe to approach. Pause here: the operator answers 'Emergency, which service?' What are the four key things the caller needs to do? The caller asks for an ambulance, gives the road and landmark, describes what happened clearly, and stays on the phone. One calm call brings trained paramedics to the exact spot. You never have to handle an emergency alone.
Prediction point — what four pieces of information help emergency services reach you fast?
Captioned · works offline without internet · optional local video slot
Scene summary / still alternative
- Spotting that someone needs urgent help: Someone collapses on the ground and will not wake up. A bystander takes a slow breath and checks it is safe to approach.
- Dialling 999 calmly: Pause here: the operator answers 'Emergency, which service?' What are the four key things the caller needs to do?
- Service · Where · What happened · Stay on the line: The caller asks for an ambulance, gives the road and landmark, describes what happened clearly, and stays on the phone.
- Help arrives: One calm call brings trained paramedics to the exact spot. You never have to handle an emergency alone.
Discussion / choices: Watch the scene. Pause at the prediction point and name what the caller should tell the operator.
Key idea: Every 999 call uses four steps: 1. Which service · 2. Where you are · 3. What is happening · 4. Stay on the line.
Presenter: Play the built-in offline animation and pause at the prediction point. Reassure pupils that the operator asks the questions one by one.
03 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
The four steps of a 999 call
Tap the four parts of an emergency call in the order they happen.
If you do not know the postcode, name the road, school, shop, or landmark nearby.
Calm 999 emergency call handler with headset and map screen
Photo-style illustration of a calm emergency control room operator wearing a headset in front of a screen showing 'Service · Location · What is happening · Stay on the line'.
Recorded in IMAGES_NEEDED.md · No matching image in repository
Discussion / choices: STAY ON THE LINE · WHERE ARE YOU? · WHICH SERVICE? · WHAT IS HAPPENING?
Key idea: WHICH SERVICE? → WHERE ARE YOU? → WHAT IS HAPPENING? → STAY ON THE LINE.
Presenter: Remind pupils never to hang up until the operator says it is okay, because the operator will talk them through what to do next.
04 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
Practise the call: urgent emergencies
Choose the safest action for each emergency situation.
Keeping yourself safe comes first so you can make the call.
Discussion / choices: Choose the safest action for each emergency situation.
Key idea: In any emergency: get yourself safe first, ask for the right service on 999, give the location, and follow the operator's instructions.
Presenter: Emphasise personal safety in street or fire scenarios: never jump into a fight or go back inside a burning building.
05 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
When you feel unsafe at home, outside, or inside yourself
Tap each situation to see what you are allowed to do to stay safe.
No one is ever allowed to hurt you, and you never have to carry danger alone.
Discussion / choices: Someone at home is hurting me or someone else · I think I am being followed or feel unsafe walking · I feel overwhelmed or unsafe in myself
Key idea: Whether the danger is outside, at home, or how you are feeling inside, reaching out for help is always allowed and never your fault.
Presenter: Read these responses calmly and matter-of-factly. Remind pupils that asking for help is a strength.
06 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
When it is not safe to speak out loud
On a mobile phone, what can you do if you dial 999 but cannot speak safely?
The police Silent Solution system is built for moments when speaking out loud puts you at risk.
Discussion / choices: 1. Still dial 999 · 2. Listen to the operator · 3. Press 55 when asked
Key idea: Dial 999, stay on the line, and press 55 when prompted on a mobile if you cannot speak safely.
Presenter: Explain clearly that pressing 55 works after dialling 999 on a mobile when prompted by the system.
07 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
Which number or person fits the need?
Tap each contact route to see when to use it.
Not every worry needs an ambulance or police car — there is a right door for every need.
Discussion / choices: 999 (Urgent emergency) · 101 (Police non-urgent) · 111 (NHS advice) · 0800 1111 (Childline) · Text SHOUT to 85258 · A trusted adult or Safeguarding Lead in school
Key idea: 999 is for danger right now; 101 and 111 are for non-urgent help; 0800 1111, text 85258, and trusted adults in school are there for any worry.
Presenter: Point out where helpline numbers are displayed around school so pupils do not have to memorise them.
08 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
Will I get in trouble for calling?
This worry stops people asking for help. Tap the three highlighted truths.
Let's settle the biggest worry clearly.
You for asking for help in good faith, being hurt is , and telling a is how things get safer.
NO TROUBLE: If you are genuinely worried someone is hurt or unsafe, you will never be punished for calling.
NOT YOUR FAULT: If someone is hurting or threatening you, the blame belongs to them, never to you.
SAFE ACTION: Keeping danger a secret protects the problem; telling a trusted adult protects people.
Discussion / choices: never get in trouble · never your fault · trusted adult
Key idea: You never get in trouble for getting help in good faith, and being hurt is never your fault.
Presenter: Reinforce this message calmly: genuine calls for help are always supported.
09 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
Ways to ask for help in school
What if saying the words out loud feels too difficult?
You do not need perfect words to start the conversation.
Discussion / choices: Use one short starter sentence · Write a note or point to a card · Bring a friend or support worker
Key idea: Whether you speak, write a note, point to a card, or bring someone with you, staff will listen and help.
Presenter: Remind pupils who the safeguarding team are in school and where they can be found.
10 / 10 · Autumn 2 · Week 1 · Safeguarding · Getting help
Ready to get help safely
Choose the two true reminders from today's assembly.
Think, point, or keep your answer private.
Discussion / choices: On 999: state the service, where you are, what is happening, and stay on the line · Keep danger a secret in case someone gets annoyed · You never get in trouble for asking for help or telling a trusted adult
Key idea: Know the four 999 call steps, use 999 press 55 if you cannot speak, and remember you are always allowed to ask a trusted adult for help.
Presenter: End calmly. Ensure staff are available at the doors if any pupil wishes to speak privately.