George Eliot Academy is an Operation Encompass school. This means we are taking part in a jointly run operation called Operation Encompass in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police. Many other schools in Warwickshire will also be participating in the scheme. The objective of Operation is to help schools provide support to children who are affected by incidents of domestic violence and abuse. There is a great deal of research evidence that children can suffer significant physical and/or emotional harm when they are present during, witness or are directly involved in incidents of domestic violence and abuse. 

The Operation Encompass process is simply that after any incident of domestic violence or abuse attended by the Police, the Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead at the school attended by any child in the household will receive a confidential and secure Email on the morning of the next school day. 

The Email will only inform the Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead that the Police have attended an incident and will request that the school is mindful of that in their care and responses to the child throughout the school day. The school will not be informed about the specific details of the incident. The only exception would be when Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police deem the incident to be a child protection matter that requires further investigation. Information would then be shared with the school as part of Warwickshire County Council’s child protection checks and investigation, which is current practice and will not be changed by Operation Encompass. 

The Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead have entered into a formal agreement with Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police to use the information shared to make sure that the right support is available for children who are present during, witness or are directly involved in an incident of domestic violence or abuse. This means that the school will also be in a position to offer parents and carers support as appropriate. 

The confidential information shared securely with the school will be managed and stored with the utmost sensitivity and discretion. We want to assure all parents and carers that only the nominated Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Headteacher will see the information shared with the school. We will then use the notification discretely to ensure that teachers and other staff directly in contact with affected children support them with due kindness, care and sensitivity. 

We are keen to offer the best support possible to our students and we believe this is going to be extremely beneficial for all those involved. 

• Survivor Advice and Support: 

If we as a school identify a child and/or family that may be in need of some additional support, we will offer an Early Support Assessment. 

Early Support is the help offered to potentially vulnerable children, young people and their families. The purpose of Early Support is to put in the right support at the right time so that problems are less likely to escalate to a point where the child becomes vulnerable or in need. Early Support is sustainable so that problems are less likely to re-occur.  

Early Support does not always mean early years. While research does show that most impact can be made in those crucial first few years of a child’s life, Early Support can be needed and put in place at any time and at any age. All children, young people and families in Warwickshire are entitled to receive Early Support. This means offering information, advice, guidance, and support to families as soon as a concern emerges or seems likely to emerge.  

Research has shown that school holidays can be difficult for some families. For some children this can lead to an experience gap where they are less likely to access organised holiday activities and more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition, physical health and social isolation. The HAF Programme aims to reduce this gap by supporting children eligible for benefits-related FSM. 

If your child/young person is eligible for benefits-tested free school meals  and in full time education (from Reception – Year 11) you can apply for their unique HAF code: 

• Information for parents 

• Parent's guide to gender identity 

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Online safety guide for parents  - Helping you to better protect your children online. Includes information on social media, gaming, live streaming, sharing videos and images online, and cyber security 

Advice on how to start the conversation and get help if you are worried about your child - Advice on how to start the conversation and get help if you are worried 

Safeguarding Children Online - Free, impartial online safety advice on safeguarding children when they are online. Includes information and advice on many topics including gaming, cyberbullying and social media. 

If you are worried about images or videos of a child being online, you can use the NSPCC’s Report Remove tool to get these images taken down.  

Sexting | Childnet - The use of technology to share intimate or sexual photos or videos of yourself or others

• Barnardo's provides free, confidential, and impartial support for parents, children, and young people with SEND, contactable at 01788 593159 or warwickshiresendiass@barnardos.org.uk 

• SEND Local Offer – Warwickshire County Council 

• What is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?   

• Signs and indicators of CSE 

• Parent Carers - Caring Together Warwickshire 

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