1. Operation Encompass Information for Headteachers and DSL’s
Working in partnership to keep children safe
Operation Encompass
Information for Headteachers and DSL’s
Jackie Difolco - Head of Service
Early Help (Children Centres & Family Support)

2. What is Operation Encompass?
Some children find it difficult to talk about domestic abuse situations at home including what has happened
Operation Encompass is an initiative where the police inform schools of domestic abuse incidents via Social Care and Early Help.
Its purpose is to ensure schools have more information to support children by informing them of children affected by domestic abuse

3. How will it work?
Police will share information with DAS/Early Help through a designated secure address
A dedicated officer within Early Help will phone the school between 8:30am and 9:30am and ask to speak with the Headteacher or a DSL only.
The school will be informed simply that there was a domestic abuse incident and the name of the child.
We will not be in a position to give more information at that point due to confidentiality.
The process aims to ensure the child is offered sensitivity and understanding following a distressing incident.
Pose question re: DSL/Safeguarding

4. What is the school meant to do?
The DSL/Head will be informed of presenting information which can be tactfully dealt with in school and empathy shown towards the child
Information gained should build on any existing safeguarding information held on that child (if any)
This could be the missing piece of the jigsaw to build on existing information – Referral required?
The Headteacher or DSL will share this information on a need to know basis e.g. with the form teacher.

5. What if the Head/DSL misses the call?
If the Head/DSL can not be reached by phone, an will be sent to the registered school to say that there has been an Operation Encompass call attempted and to please call back
The will come from:
A number/e mail will be left for the Head/DSL to call back
Please note: There will not be capacity to make calls back
NOTE: DSL Inbox (information taken from Jacquie's flow chart) Schools do not have a general DSL e mail or safeguarding account. This will need to be decided between social care and schools as to where the information is sent – or if it is simply sent to the Office e mail address?
Yes lets say it will be sent to the registered for DSL’s with the safeguarding unit therefore it is the schools responsibility to ensure this is the one they want info sent to.

6. Operation Encompass Leicester Process – Jackie Difolco

7. How often will schools get a call?/ What happens in the holidays?
Research from other services in the UK indicates that around 8 calls may be made across the City each morning.
There may well be long periods between calls, however, larger schools may receive calls more frequently.
Operation Encompass will not take place in school holidays and will resume on the first day of each term

8. How to make parents aware
Schools will need to inform parents of the implementation of Opp Encompass. (That when police attend an incident of domestic abuse, the school will be informed)
Schools will need to let all parents know, via newsletter or other appropriate means, that when Police attend an incident of domestic abuse, the school will be informed (resources will be made available)
By sharing this information, parents affected by domestic abuse will know that they can approach the school.

9. Operation Encompass - 19th February 2018
When will it start?
Operation Encompass - 19th February 2018
Schools are asked to let parents/carers know via the template letter sent to them with them.
Schools are asked to alert those who may pick up the phone from Social Care and Early Help that the call should be put straight through to the Headteacher or a DSL.
Information on the process should also be made available to every staff member in the school so that they too understand the process

10. Any Questions?

11. More information http://www.operationencompass.org/
UAVA Helpline
UAVA (Professionals)
Schools Extranet:
Jackie Difolco, Head of Service,

12. Operation Encompass – Additional Information You Tube Video Link
Possibly view this film first?? – Check with Lesley.
Copy into You tube if you want to show the video first? (6 minutes long)