Domestic ABUSE
Domestic or family violence or abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. It can include any situation where someone is forced to alter their behaviour due to fear of their family member’s reaction.
Incidents of domestic violence are rarely a one-off and often become more frequent and severe over time. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, social background, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity.
Being in a household where there is domestic violence is distressing and scary for children and young people. They may hear violent or controlling arguments; they may witness violence directly; they may feel powerless to protect a carer.
They are likely to be well aware of their parent or carer’s distress and injuries after an incident. They may also get hurt themselves.
If you would like a confidential conversation with one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads, please call the school office and arrange a face to face or telephone appointment. You do not have to give the office staff any details about your concerns.
WE ARE AN 'OPERATION ENCOMPASS' SCHOOL
Operation Encompass operates in all police forces across England. It helps police and schools work together to provide emotional and practical help to children. The system ensures that when police are called to an incident of domestic abuse, where there are children in the household who have experienced the domestic incident, the police should inform the key adult (usually the designated safeguarding lead) in school before the child or children arrive at school the following day. This ensures that the school has up to date relevant information about the child’s circumstances and can enable immediate support to be put in place, according to the child’s needs.
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