Select Page

Concerned about a Child?

Reporting concerns to school

If you have concerns about a pupil then please speak to one of the designated safeguarding members of staff.

The designated safeguarding lead persons are:

Helen Ashton

Helen Gibbons

Claire Peat

Report a concern about a child to the Local Authority

If you have a concern about a child or young person’s welfare who lives in County Durham, call First Contact on Tel: 03000 267 979. First Contact brings together children’s services staff with partners such as Durham Constabulary and health services.

Opening hours

First Contact is open from 8.30am until 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am until 4.30pm on a Friday.

In an emergency situation, a duty officer is available outside of normal office hours on the telephone number above. If faxing or emailing outside of normal working office hours, please be aware that these enquiries will be dealt with on the next working day.

What happens if I call First Contact?

When you contact us you will speak to a trained officer. We will work with you to decide the level of response needed. Providing early help to children, young people and their families is our priority. We will start an Early Help Assessment to inform what happens next, which may be:

  • giving you appropriate advice and guidance
  • a referral to preventative services such as One Point, with a ‘team around the family’ and a named lead professional
  • a statutory referral to assessment and interventions teams due to safeguarding concerns, with a ‘team around the family’ and a named lead professional

​First Contact works to Single Assessment Procedure and Practice

Guidance, which can be found on the Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board website.

NSPCC

Don’t wait until you’re certain if you are worried about a child. If you have any concerns or suspicions, contact the free helpline service to speak to an NSPCC counsellor 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tel: 0808 800 5000,

They will listen to your concerns, offer advice and support and can take action on your behalf if a child is in danger.

You don’t have to tell them who you are if you don’t want to, or you can ask them not to share your name or contact with the police or social services. Find out more about how you can remain anonymous below.

All communications will be recorded and we keep records for 15 years.

If you think a child is in immediate danger

Don’t delay – call the police on 999 or call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, straight away.