Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a protocol whereby schools will formally be notified of any reported incident of domestic violence at an address at which children are present or normally resident.
This model of practice was first introduced in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, in February 2011. It has since been adopted in many areas across the UK. In other areas it has been found to be a very effective way of supporting children at a most difficult time. The initial approach anticipates that the sharing of information should not, in itself, provoke a proactive response to individual children by the school. Rather it should assist in informing the schools’ response to any presenting behaviour and allowing the school to be in a better position to understand any adverse impact on the child’s subsequent behaviour in school. This information should only be shared by the Head Teacher or DSL on a need to know basis e.g. with the form/class teacher.
To support the launch, a Designated Safeguarding Leads Forum took place on Monday 29 January 2018, 9:30am–11:30am at the Leicester City Council, City Hall. The forum delivered a briefing of how it will work, the processes and documentation to use and the benefits for children and young people and education providers, including post 16.
We have been developing a process for Leicester, in partnership with Leicestershire Police. Other documentation will also include a template letter for schools to send to parents informing them of the scheme that you can use if you wish.
Please find the template letter for schools to send to parents informing them of the scheme that you can use if you wish. Documentation regarding the DSL briefing on the 29 January is also available.
For further information please contact: info@operationencompass.org
