Safeguarding Statement

Feniscowles Primary School is committed to its legal and moral duty to promote the well-being of children, protecting them from harm and respond to child abuse.  We expect ALL staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm, safe from bullying, safe from abuse of any kind, safe from discrimination or harassment and ensuring that we all feel safe in our school environment.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or well‐being of someone at our school please talk to one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).

• Rob Andrew (Headteacher)  head@feniscowles.blackburn.sch.uk
• Carley Dootson (Deputy Head) deputyhead@feniscowles.blackburn.sch.uk
• Wendy Edwards (Family Support) w.edwards@feniscowles.blackburn.sch.uk
• Joanna Irvine (ELSA and Pupil Wellbeing Lead) j.irvine@feniscowles.blackburn.sch.uk
• Rebecca Shaw (KS1 Lead and 'Virtual Teacher' for vulnerable children) r.shaw@feniscowles.blackburn.sch.uk

Feniscowles Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and underpins everything we do.

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2026 sets out the procedures we follow to keep children safe. It can be viewed in the Policies section of our website or through the link below.

Our safeguarding arrangements are built around five key principles:

• making sure that adults working or volunteering in school are suitable to work with children through safer recruitment and appropriate checks
• helping children stay safe through the curriculum, pastoral support and age-appropriate teaching about relationships, online safety, wellbeing and recognising when something is wrong
• ensuring staff know how to recognise, record and report safeguarding concerns promptly
• providing early help, support and protection for children and families when concerns or additional needs are identified
• maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive environment in which children can learn, develop and feel confident to speak to a trusted adult

When we are worried about a child, we may need to share relevant information and work with other professionals or agencies. We will handle information sensitively and will work openly with parents and carers wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

There may be circumstances where we need to share information or take safeguarding action without first seeking parental consent, particularly where doing so is necessary to protect a child from harm. Any information shared will be relevant, necessary and proportionate to the safeguarding concern.

We believe that families should be able to ask for help before difficulties become more serious. Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to us if they are worried about their child, their family circumstances or anything that may be affecting their child’s wellbeing. Where appropriate, we can provide support in school or help families access Early Help, Family Help and other local services.

Feniscowles Primary School also has due regard to the Prevent duty and works to protect children from the risks of radicalisation and extremism, including risks that may arise online.