Clever Never Goes - the new 'stranger danger'

Clever Never Goes

It’s the modern, child-friendly alternative to the out-dated and fundamentally flawed ‘Stranger Danger’ message. Rather than fearing the worst in everyone they don’t know, Clever Never Goes helps children to recognise specific situations that are unsafe and gives them the tools to respond.

Whilst child abduction is relatively uncommon, it’s important that children can recognise the potential signs of danger. Teaching children simply to avoid strangers doesn’t work. Most strangers will help rather than harm children. Conversely, it is often people known to children that pose the greatest threat.

Clever Never Goes moves the focus away from strangers and instead teaches children to recognise when someone (anyone) is asking them to go with them. We call this ‘Go Spotting’. In doing so, the programme aims to give children practical safety skills which they can use as they get older and become more independent.

It’s about safety – but it’s also about building children’s abilities to engage with the outside world, and giving parents the confidence to let them.

At Hayes Primary School, we ensure the children talk about “Clever Never Goes” at least once a term in an assembly.

https://clevernevergoes.org/parents-2/