Operation Encompass

Our   school  is  part  of  a   project, which  is   run  between   Warrington  Local Authority, schools and Cheshire Police. The  project   called   Operation Encompass, has  been  designed  to  provide  early reporting of any domestic violence incidents that occur outside school, which might have  an  impact  on  a child  in  school.  This  is  done  through a phone call to school following an incident.

The project ensures that at least one member of the school staff, known as the Key Adult, is trained to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence.

In this way, we aim to support each child who has been involved in, or witnessed, a domestic abuse incident.  The Key Adult at St Monica’s Primary School is Mrs J Pearson.  If she receives an Encompass call she will make sure that a person the child  trusts  is  available  to  help - if the  child  needs  this.  Most of the time this support is silent; keeping a careful eye on him or her and make sure the child has a calm school day. The confidential information is ordinarily not shared with all staff, just an agreement on how to help, if needed.

All schools have a duty to share any information with other organisations if they feel a child is at risk of being hurt. The Key Adult may contact other organisations.  This is described in our Safeguarding Policy.

The sharing of information from the Police allows the school to be ready to help your child straight away, and it means that parents are aware that the Key Adult knows that something has happened.  Parents can come and talk to our Key Adult.  The Key Adult can point you towards other people that can help.  Our aim is to support children and their families.