Safeguarding Children with SEND

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At Fishburn Primary School, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We recognise that some children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) may face additional barriers to recognising abuse, disclosing concerns or accessing support.

Our safeguarding practice is child-centred and inclusive. We consider each child's individual needs and make reasonable adjustments where required to ensure that every child is able to feel safe, be heard and access appropriate support.

Additional Safeguarding Barriers

Children with SEND may experience additional safeguarding barriers. These may include:

• communication difficulties which can make it harder for a child to explain what has happened or express a concern;
• difficulties recognising unsafe situations, inappropriate behaviour or harmful relationships;
• assumptions that changes in behaviour, mood, presentation or attendance are related to a child's SEND rather than a possible safeguarding concern;
• difficulties understanding personal boundaries or appropriate relationships;
• increased reliance on adults for care, communication or other support;
• experiencing bullying, prejudice or child-on-child abuse without outwardly showing signs of distress;
• social isolation or difficulties developing and maintaining friendships; and
• additional online vulnerabilities.

Staff maintain professional curiosity and consider the individual child and their circumstances.

A child's SEND should never be assumed to explain away a possible safeguarding concern.

Listening to Children

Every child has the right to be heard.

We recognise that children communicate in different ways. Staff take account of children's individual communication needs and make appropriate adjustments so that children with SEND are able to express their wishes, feelings and concerns.

This may include:

• visual prompts or symbols;
• simplified or adapted language;
• communication aids;
• additional processing time;
• support from a familiar and trusted adult; and
• alternative methods of communication appropriate to the individual child.

Children are supported to understand who they can speak to, how to report worries and how to access help both inside and outside school.

Behaviour and Safeguarding

We recognise that changes in a child's behaviour, emotional presentation, attendance, engagement or relationships can be an important indicator that something may be wrong.

Staff consider behaviour in the context of the individual child's needs while maintaining professional curiosity about possible safeguarding concerns.

Where a child with SEND becomes distressed or dysregulated, staff respond appropriately to the child's individual needs and any agreed support plans. However, SEND or dysregulation must not prevent staff from considering whether there may also be an underlying safeguarding concern.

Any safeguarding concern is reported promptly through the school's established safeguarding procedures.

Child-on-Child Abuse and Bullying

Children with SEND may experience bullying, prejudice-based behaviour or child-on-child abuse.

Fishburn Primary School does not dismiss harmful behaviour as an inevitable part of childhood or as a consequence of a child's additional needs.

Staff remain alert to bullying, including online bullying, discriminatory behaviour, physical or emotional abuse, sexual harassment or harmful sexual behaviour, coercion, exploitation and social isolation.

Concerns are responded to in accordance with our Safeguarding, Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies.

Online Safety

We recognise that some children with SEND may require additional support to understand and manage online risks.

Online safety teaching is adapted where appropriate so that pupils can understand risks relating to content, contact, conduct and commerce, recognise unsafe situations and know how to seek help.

Filtering and monitoring systems operate alongside appropriate education, supervision and support.

Personal and Intimate Care

Some children with SEND may require personal or intimate care or additional physical support.

Where this is required, appropriate plans and procedures are followed to protect the dignity, privacy and safety of the child and the adults supporting them.

Children are encouraged, wherever possible, to develop independence and an understanding of personal boundaries and their right to feel safe.

Working Together

Effective safeguarding relies on strong communication between children, families, school staff and other professionals.

At Fishburn Primary School, our safeguarding and inclusion teams work closely together to ensure that children's needs and any safeguarding concerns are considered holistically.

Where appropriate, we work with external professionals and agencies and share information when necessary to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child.

Our Safeguarding and Inclusion Teams

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mr Richard Parkin – Head of School

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Mrs Charlotte Sinclair – Assistant Headteacher / Early Years Lead

SENDCo
Miss Hannah Robertson

Trust Head of Inclusion
Mrs Sue Henry

School telephone: 01740 620162
School email: fishburnadmin@edenacademytrust.co.uk

Reporting a Concern

If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact a member of our safeguarding team.

Concerns can also be reported directly to:

Durham Children's Social Care – First Contact
03000 267 979

The same number can be used to access the Emergency Duty Team outside normal working hours.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Further Information

Our approach to safeguarding children with SEND should be read alongside our:

• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy;
• SEND Policy and SEND Information Report;
• Behaviour Policy;
• Anti-Bullying Policy; and
• Online Safety arrangements.

Our safeguarding practice is informed by Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and the Eden Academy Trust Safeguarding Policy 2026–27.