Operation Encompass
New York Primary school is an Operations Encompass School
What is Operation Encompass?
The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. Operation Encompass protocols ensure that nominated school staff are made aware of an incident early enough to be able to provide support for pupils in school.
One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.
Why was Operation Encompass introduced in North Tyneside?
Operation Encompass was initially launched in Plymouth in February 2011 to address a shortcoming in the early sharing of information with schools. Since then several pilots have been set up across the UK, including Gateshead and South Tyneside, and proved to be very successful in providing appropriate support in a timely manner. Pilots across the UK have reported positive outcomes for many children and young people.
North Tyneside Council, Northumbria Police and all schools in the borough are taking part in the scheme, to help provide additional new support which will benefit children and young people in North Tyneside and improve multi-agency sharing of information.
How does it work?
Schools across North Tyneside nominate two members of staff who are known as Key Adults. All Key Adults attend specific training to the role in preparation for Operation Encompass.
Each morning a police officer reviews all domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school but which might have had an impact on a child attending school the following day. Where children were present, witnessed or involved in a domestic abuse incident and aged between 4 and 16 years old, the officer sends this information to Children’s Social Care Front Door Service
Staff from the Front Door Service send this information in a secure format to the identified Key Adult. The Key Adult checks their emails every day and the staff in contact with those pupils are then in an informed position to support them in a way that is right for the child.
This information is be shared on school days during school term and, when incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or over a holiday period, the police contact the Front Door the following Monday.
For more information about Operation Encompass, please contact our school or visit http://www.operationencompass.org/