All Leicestershire Schools are now part of a safeguarding initiative, which aims to improve outcomes for children and families affected by domestic violence and abuse.

This scheme has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that might have an impact on a child that attends their school.  The approach, known as Operation Encompass is being rolled out across the UK.  In Leicestershire the scheme is run in partnership between Leicestershire County Council and Leicestershire Police.

All public agencies currently share information where there are safeguarding concerns or risk of harm to children and the Police currently share information on all incidents of domestic abuse in Leicestershire with Leicestershire County Council.

To further support the welfare of children, this information sharing is being extended.  During the school term, our Designated Safeguarding Lead will now be informed when any domestic abuse incident has been reported to the police and one of our pupils was in the household.

This has been introduced because domestic abuse in a household can have a big impact on children, even if they do not see what is happening.

This information will be used to ensure the school is able to provide appropriate support to our pupils.  The information will remain confidential and only shared on a strictly need-to-know basis, for example with the class teacher.  It will not be shared with any pupils.

If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about domestic abuse or sexual violence, call the United Against Violence and Abuse (UAVA) helpline on 0800 80 200 28.  The helpline is open 8am to 8am Monday to Saturday. You can also visit www.uava.org.uk

We look to offer the best support possible for our pupils and believe that this scheme is going to be beneficial and supportive for all those involved. In other areas of the country where it is in place, it has been found to be a very effective way of supporting children at a most difficult time.