What is Operation Encompass?

Its purpose is to safeguard and support children and young people where a domestic incident has been reported from their home. Following such an incident, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared. Operation Encompass will ensure that appropriate school staff are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe supported and listened to.

How will it work?

Schools within Halton have all identified a “Key Adult” and at St Edward’s that is Mrs Snell, who is also the Senior Designated Person for Safeguarding.

Each morning a locally-based Police Officer from the Integrated Referral Unit (IRU) will review all violent or abusive incidents that would indicate domestic abuse. In incidents where children are living at the home and aged between 4 and 18 years old, the school that the child or young person attends will be contacted by telephone and information will be passed to a designated “Key Adult” in the school.

If we get a phone call at St Edward’s, Mrs Snell will then communicate with staff who work with that child / children so that they will be in an informed position to support them in a way that is right for that particular child or young person, either with silent or overt support.