Operation Encompass

What is Operation Encompass?

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. 

Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police and nominated Key Adults in schools across Newcastle work together to make sure that school staff are made aware of an incident early enough to support pupils in school.  

Why has Operation Encompass been introduced in Newcastle? 

Operation Encompass was initially launched in Plymouth in February 2011 to address a shortcoming in the early sharing of information with schools. Since then several pilots have been set up across the UK, including Gateshead, North and South Tyneside and has proved to very successful in providing appropriate support in a timely manner. Pilots across the UK have reported positive outcomes for many children and young people. 

Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police and all schools in the city take part in the scheme, to help provide additional support which will benefit children and young people in Newcastle and improve multi-agency sharing of information. 

How it works 

All schools in Newcastle nominate two members of staff who are known as Key Adults. All Key Adults attend specific training on the role, to support their school’s participation in Operation Encompass. 

Each morning a police officer reviews all domestic abuse incidents which might impact on a child attending school that day. Where children were present, witnessed or involved in a domestic abuse incident and aged between 4 and 16 years old, the officer will send this information to Children’s Social Care at Newcastle City Council.

Staff from Children’s Social Care will send this information in a secure format to the identified Key Adult at the child’s school. The Key Adult check their emails every day to be in an informed position to provide support in a way that is right for the child. 

This information is shared on school days during school term and, when incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or over a holiday period, the police contacts Children’s Social Care the following Monday. 

All parents are informed of their child's school participation in Operation Encompass either by letter or through information on the school’s website. 

For more information about Operation Encompass

Please contact your school or visit http://www.operationencompass.org/