Safeguarding - Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass
Our school is part of Operation Encompass — a national initiative which supports children who may have been affected by domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass is a partnership between the police and schools. Following a domestic abuse incident attended by the police, where a child from our school may have been present, experienced or been affected by the incident, the police will inform the school before the next school day.
This information will be used to ensure the school is able to provide appropriate support to pupils. The information received is treated in the strictest confidence and will only be shared on a strictly need-to-know basis, for example with the child’s class teacher where appropriate. It will not be shared with other children and may not be discussed directly with parents/carers.
At Barkisland CE (VA) Primary School, the information is shared with the school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) so that we can provide appropriate care, understanding and support to children when they are in school. The DSLs at Barkisland are Mrs Schofield, Mrs Wilde, Mrs Young and Mrs Stott.
If an Operation Encompass notification is received, the DSLs will ensure that a trusted adult is available to support the child if needed. Most of the time, this support is quiet and discreet — keeping a careful eye on the child, offering reassurance and helping to ensure they experience a calm and supportive school day. The confidential information is not routinely shared with all staff; instead, only appropriate support strategies are agreed where necessary.
All schools have a duty to share information with other agencies if they believe a child may be at risk of harm. Where appropriate, the DSLs may contact other organisations in order to help support the child and family.
The sharing of information between the police and school allows us to be ready to support children straight away and ensures that parents/carers are aware that the school understands that something may have happened. Parents/carers are welcome to speak with the DSLs, who can also signpost families to additional support services where needed.
We recognise that children can be significantly impacted by witnessing or being exposed to domestic abuse, and we are committed to supporting the emotional health, wellbeing and safety of all our pupils in a sensitive and nurturing manner. Our aim is always to support children and their families.
If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about domestic abuse, you can contact the United Against Violence and Abuse (UAVA) helpline on 0800 80 200 28. The helpline is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.
For more information, please click on the links below:
Here is a short video that has been created to explain Operation Encompass Operation Encompass - Salford
