We work in partnership with Kent Police and Kent County Council to identify and provide appropriate support to our pupils who experience domestic abuse and domestic violence in their household; this initiative is called Operation Encompass.
In order to provide support for these children, Kent Police will assess and share information on all domestic abuse and domestic violence incidents where one of our pupils has been present or connected with the household.
This information will be shared confidentially with the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the school.
On receipt of information about an incident, the safeguarding team will decide on the most appropriate support for the child, this may take the form of 'silent' support around their classroom learning and which the child will not be aware or it may be more overt support for the child and family in agreement with parent or cares as appropriate. This might include nurture support in school or referral to a specialist domestic abuse service such as OASIS.
In high risk cases we will work with other professionals to help the family access appropriate support such as access to an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) or a family refuge place.
All information sharing and the resulting actions will be undertaken in accordance with the 'Information Sharing Agreement' between Kent Police and Kent County Council. We will record this information and store this information in line with our school safeguarding record keeping procedures.
We are also able to signpost members of our school community to domestic abuse support, such as the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) or OASIS without an Operation Encompass referral. We can also talk to you about accessing a 'One Stop Shop' support centre for domestic abuse. If you would like any advice or support please speak to Mrs Purdy.
Domestic Abuse One Stop Shops offer free advice, information and support from a range of agencies under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse. The agencies involved include Specialist Domestic Violence Support Services, the Police, Health, Housing, Drug and Alcohol Support, Legal Advisors, and various other support organisations.
Our local One Stop Shop is located at Six Bells Childrens Centre, 201 High Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1WH and operates every Wednesday between 10 am and 12 pm.