Our school is proud to be part of Operation Encompass, a national safeguarding initiative that supports children who may have been affected by domestic abuse. Through this partnership, the police securely inform the school before the start of the next school day when a child has been present at, exposed to, or affected by a domestic abuse incident. This information is shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Family Support Workers (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads) so that we can provide timely, sensitive, and appropriate support to help the child feel safe, secure, and ready to learn. Operation Encompass strengthens our commitment to safeguarding and ensures that children receive the understanding and care they need during difficult times. Home : Operation Encompass 

Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse

Witnessing domestic abuse is really distressing and scary and it causes serious harm to children. 

Children who witness domestic abuse can experience a wide range effects. They may:

• Become anxious and depressed
• Have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares
• Be easily startled, flinch or react disproportionately to loud noises
• Complain of physical symptoms such as tummy ache
• Start wetting the bed
• Have temper tantrums and display challenging behaviour at school
• Behave younger than they are
• Not want to go to school 
• Become aggressive towards others
• Have poor self-worth
• Self-harm
• Have difficulty forming positive relationships

They may feel:

• Guilty - because they think they have done something wrong
• Powerless - because they can't stop the violence
• Confused - because it doesn't make sense
• Angry - because it shouldn't be happening
• Sad - because it's a loss
• Afraid - because they may be hurt, they may lose someone they love, others may find out
• Alone - because they think it is only happening to them