Friday 10^th February

Operation Encompass Information

Dear Parent/Carer,

All Leicester Schools are part of Operation Encompass, a safeguarding initiative with the aim to improve outcomes for children and families affected by domestic violence and abuse.

This scheme is designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that might have an impact on a child that attends their school. 

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 Leicester with Leicester City Council.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Headteacher) will be informed when any domestic abuse incident has been reported to the police and one of our pupils was in the household. It will not give any details about the incident. We know that domestic abuse in a household can have a big impact on children, even if they do not see what is happening. The information will be used to ensure that the school is able to provide appropriate support to the pupil. The information will remain confidential and only shared on a strictly need-to-know basis, for example with the class teacher. 

We have been advised by the Police not to contact families following an incident, however, if you wish to speak to the school about it, please do call and ask to speak to a member of the senior leadership team or our Family Support Worker.

If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about domestic abuse, call the Leicester, Leicestershire& Rutland Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 802 0028 or visit https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/emergencies-safety-and-crime/domestic-and-sexual-abuse/

We strive to offer the best support possible for our pupils and Operation Encompass provides an effective way of the school being able to support a child at what may be a very difficult time.

Regards,

Sarah Osborne (Headteacher)