Dear Parent/Carer
Re: Operation Encompass-the Next Steps
Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police have asked us to write to all parents about ‘Operation Encompass’.
Operation Encompass is a project in which all Newcastle schools and the City Council are involved. It will start on 7 November 2016 and aims to support children who are affected by domestic abuse.
Following any domestic abuse incident being reported to Northumbria Police, where children aged between 4 and 16 years old are present, witnessed or involved in the incident, the Police will send this information to Children’s Services at Newcastle City Council, who will then notify the children’s schools.
After such an incident, children often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. Operation Encompass will ensure that schools are made aware at the earliest possible opportunity and can subsequently provide support in a way that means the child feels safe.
Each school has a member of staff (key adult) who has received training on Operation Encompass and will ensure that necessary support is made available to the child. They can also liaise with the Police and Newcastle City Council, when required.
We believe that this project demonstrates our school’s commitment to working in partnership, to safeguard and protect children, and to providing the best possible care and support for our pupils.
If you would like to speak to someone further about Operation Encompass or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office, or Audrey Johnson at Newcastle City Council; audrey.johnson@newcastle.gov.uk.
You can also find out more information by accessing the following website: http://www.operationencompass.org
Operation Encompass The Next Steps
Operation Encompass The Next Steps is an exciting partnership between The Northumbria Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Northumbria Police, Barnados and Operation Encompass. It seeks to provide support for schools to teach about Domestic abuse through the PSHE/RSE curriculum and to enable parents and children who may wish to talk about their concerns about Domestic Abuse to share these with a School Safeguarding Liaison Officer who will be able to meet within the school setting.