Operation Encompass and Domestic Abuse
We work in partnership with Kent Police and Kent County Council to identify and provide appropriate support to our pupils who experience domestic abuse and domestic violence in their household; this initiative is called Operation Encompass.
In order to provide support for these children, Kent Police will assess and share information on all domestic abuse and domestic violence incidents where one of our pupils has been present or connected with the household. This information will be shared confidentially with the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the school. On receipt of information about an incident, the safeguarding team will decide on the most appropriate support for the child, this may take the form of 'silent' support around their classroom learning and which the child will not be aware or it may be more overt support for the child and family in agreement with parent or cares as appropriate. This might include nurture support in school or referral to a specialist domestic abuse service such as OASIS. In high risk cases we will work with other professionals to help the family access appropriate support such as access to an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) or a family refuge place.
All information sharing and the resulting actions will be undertaken in accordance with the 'Information Sharing Agreement' between Kent Police and Kent County Council. We will record this information and store this information in line with our school safeguarding record keeping procedures.
Mr Turner, our Safeguarding Lead and Mrs Lamprell, our Safeguarding assistant, are both trained to support both our adults and our children with Domestic Abuse concerns.
They are both part of the J9 initiative which aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse and assist victims/survivors to access support safely through practical advice and support.
They are available to speak confidentially with parents, carers, staff and children. If you would like support from them please speak to them at the school gate, phone them via the office or come into school and make an appointment. The only information that you have to share with other staff is that you would like to talk about the J9 scheme with them.
Domestic Abuse One Stop Shops offer free advice, information and support from a range of agencies under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse. The agencies involved include Specialist Domestic Violence Support Services, the Police, Health, Housing, Drug and Alcohol Support, Legal Advisors, and various other support organisations.
Our local One Stop Shop is located at Six Bells Children's Centre, 201 High Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1WH and operates every Wednesday between 10 am and 12 pm.
