Medway Community Primary School participates in Operation Encompass, a safeguarding partnership that helps schools provide timely support to children who have experienced domestic abuse.

When the police attend a domestic abuse incident involving a child or their household, information may be shared securely with the child's school. This enables appropriate trained staff in school to be aware that the child may need additional support.

How does this help my child?

Experiencing domestic abuse can affect a child even when they have not directly witnessed an incident.

Knowing that something has happened enables school to respond sensitively to the child's individual needs. Support might simply mean:

• providing a calm and reassuring start to the school day
• ensuring a trusted adult is available
• offering additional pastoral support
• monitoring the child's emotional wellbeing
• making appropriate adjustments during the school day
• responding sensitively to changes in behaviour, concentration or engagement.

Medway's wider approach already recognises that safeguarding, wellbeing and attendance need to be considered alongside the child's wider circumstances. Senior leaders have responsibility for monitoring safeguarding and attendance as part of the school's whole-school oversight. 

Confidentiality

Information received through Operation Encompass is treated as confidential safeguarding information.

It is managed by appropriately trained safeguarding staff and information is only shared with other members of staff where this is necessary to support and safeguard the child.

The purpose is not to question the child about what has happened. It is to ensure that school can provide appropriate, sensitive support when the child needs it.

More Information

Parents and carers can find further information about the scheme on the Operation Encompass website.

If domestic abuse is affecting you or your family, you can also access information and support through Leicester City Council Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support.

If you or a child are in immediate danger, call 999.