Safeguarding at Fountains High School
Safeguarding is Everybody’s Responsibility
At Fountains High School, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority.
We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where every young person feels valued, respected and listened to. As a generic special school supporting young people aged 11 to 19, we recognise that some students may face additional vulnerabilities and barriers to communicating concerns. We work hard to ensure that every student is heard, understood and supported.
Our safeguarding culture is built on strong relationships, professional vigilance and a shared commitment to promoting the welfare of every student. Through early support and close partnership working with families, carers and other professionals, we work together to keep our students safe, supported and able to thrive.
Our Commitment
At Fountains High School, we are committed to:
- Keeping students safe.
- Listening to and valuing every young person.
- Creating a culture of vigilance, care and respect.
- Identifying concerns early and providing timely support.
- Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
- Teaching students how to stay safe, both online and offline.
- Working in partnership with families, carers and external agencies.
- Enabling every young person to thrive.
Need Help? Contact Our Safeguarding Team
If you have any concerns about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a student, including concerns that are current or historical, please contact us as soon as possible.
No concern is too small. If something does not feel right, please speak to us.
Our Safeguarding Team
Holly Lakin
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Bev Rowley
Head of School/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Abigail Carr
Deputy Headteacher/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Caroline Ruscoe
Assistant Headteacher/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Shafeen Akhtar
Post-16 Lead/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Chris Mulvenney
Attendance & Engagement Officer/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is always available on site during the school day to respond to safeguarding concerns.
Trust Safeguarding & Governance
Safeguarding arrangements are supported and monitored through Trust safeguarding leadership and governance.
Hannah Longley
Esteem Multi-Academy Trust Safeguarding Lead
Lynne Woolley
Safeguarding Governor
Report a Safeguarding Concern
Email: safeguarding@fountains-high.staffs.sch.uk
Telephone: 01283 247580
This is the main school telephone number. Please ask to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or another member of the Safeguarding Team.
The safeguarding inbox is monitored during school hours and once daily during school holidays. It is not monitored at weekends.
Please do not use email to report an urgent safeguarding concern.
If your concern is urgent during the school day, please telephone the school and ask to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team.
If a student is at immediate risk of harm, or a crime is being committed, call 999 immediately.
If school is closed and your concern is urgent, please use the out-of-hours contacts below.
Out of Hours Safeguarding Support
If you are worried about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a student outside of school hours, please use the contacts below.
Immediate Danger or Risk of Harm
If a student is in immediate danger, at risk of immediate harm or a crime has been committed:
Call 999 immediately
Do not wait for a school response.
Following contact with the Police, please contact Children’s Social Care as soon as possible. If the student is aged 18 or over, please contact Adult Social Care.
Urgent Safeguarding Concerns When School is Closed
When school is closed, the safeguarding team cannot respond immediately to emails.
If your concern requires an urgent response, please contact the appropriate local authority service directly.
Children’s Social Care
| Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door (SFIFD) (Monday to Thursday 8:30 to 17:00 and Friday 08:30 to 16:30) | 0300 111 8033 |
| Staffordshire Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours) | 0345 604 2886 |
| Call Derbyshire | 01629 533190 |
| Call Derbyshire (Out of Hours) | 01629 532600 |
| Derby City First Contact (Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00) | 01332 641172 |
| Derby City Emergency Social Work Service (Out of Hours) | 01332 956606 |
Adult Social Care
| Staffordshire Adult Safeguarding Referral Line | 0345 604 2719 |
| Staffordshire Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours) | 0345 604 2886 |
| Call Derbyshire | 01629 533190 |
| Call Derbyshire (Out of Hours) | 01629 532600 |
| Derby City Safeguarding Adults Team | 01332 642855 |
| Derby City Emergency Social Work Service (Out of Hours) | 01332 956606 |
Non-Urgent Concerns
For non-urgent welfare or wellbeing concerns, please contact the safeguarding team:
Email: safeguarding@fountains-high.staffs.sch.uk
The safeguarding inbox should not be used to report urgent safeguarding concerns.
Other Useful Contacts
| Police (Non-Emergency) | Telephone: 101 |
| Childline | Telephone: 0800 1111 Website: Childline |
|
CEOP Report concerns about online grooming, exploitation, sexual abuse or inappropriate online contact. |
Website: CEOP |
| NSPCC Helpline | Telephone: 0808 800 5000 Website: NSPCC |
|
Samaritans Available 24 hours a day for anyone who is struggling or in emotional distress. |
Telephone: 116 123 |
Support & Information
Find out more about the support, guidance and resources available to students, families and carers.
Wellbeing Support
Family Support & FASST
Online Safety
Resource Hub
Policies & Documents
Operation Encompass
Fountains High School is proud to be part of Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass is a national initiative that supports children and young people who may have experienced domestic abuse. Through this partnership, the Police share relevant information with trained safeguarding staff, enabling us to provide timely and appropriate support when it is needed most.
At Fountains High School, our Operation Encompass trained safeguarding team use this information sensitively and confidentially to help ensure students feel safe and supported.
Find Out More
Operation Encompass Parent/Carer Letter
