Safeguarding at Fishburn

At Fishburn Primary School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All staff have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn and are trained to recognise and respond to concerns about a child's welfare.

We maintain the attitude that “it could happen here” and ensure that our approach is always child-centred. We recognise the importance of identifying concerns early, sharing information appropriately and ensuring that children and families receive the right help at the right time.

If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team.

School Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mr Richard Parkin – Head of School
HTFishburn@edenacademytrust.co.uk

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Mrs Charlotte Sinclair – Assistant Headteacher / Early Years Lead
CSinclair@edenacademytrust.co.uk

All adults working at Fishburn Primary School have a responsibility to safeguard children. Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training and know how to report and respond to concerns.

Trust Safeguarding Lead

Eden Academy Trust provides additional safeguarding oversight and support to its schools.

Trust Safeguarding Lead
Mr Pritchard
ppritchard@edenacademytrust.co.uk

The Trust Safeguarding Lead monitors safeguarding provision across the Trust, provides support and challenge to schools and can be contacted where appropriate regarding safeguarding concerns.

Reporting a Concern

If you are concerned about a child, please contact the school and ask to speak to a member of the safeguarding team.

Fishburn Primary School
01740 620162
fishburnadmin@edenacademytrust.co.uk

Concerns about the welfare of a child can also be reported directly to Durham Children's Social Care.

For concerns outside normal working hours, please use Durham County Council's current Emergency Duty Team contact details.

Reporting a concern out of School Hours

Durham Children's Social Care – First Contact: 03000 267 979
Out of Hours – Emergency Duty Team: 03000 267 979
If a child is in immediate danger: call 999.

Concerns or Allegations About an Adult Working With Children

Any concern about the behaviour of a member of staff, supply teacher, volunteer or other adult working with children should be reported promptly to the Head of School.

Where the concern relates to the Head of School, it should be reported to the appropriate Trust representative in accordance with Eden Academy Trust's safeguarding procedures.

Where appropriate, concerns will be discussed with or referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in accordance with statutory safeguarding procedures.

Our Safeguarding Approach

Safeguarding at Fishburn includes:

• protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation;
• providing help and support as soon as problems emerge;
• promoting children's physical and mental health and development;
• online safety;
• attendance and children who are absent from education;
• child-on-child abuse;
• preventing radicalisation and extremism;
• supporting children with additional vulnerabilities, including children with SEND;
• working effectively with parents, carers and other agencies; and
• ensuring safe recruitment and appropriate safeguarding practice throughout the school.

Safeguarding is embedded throughout school life and through our curriculum. Children are taught how to keep themselves and others safe, including when online, and are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if they are worried about anything.

Key Safeguarding Guidance

Our safeguarding practice is informed by current statutory guidance, including:

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026
Department for Education

Working Together to Safeguard Children – current statutory guidance
HM Government

Our current safeguarding and child protection policies can be found within the Safeguarding Policies section of our website.