By Tony O’Reilly And Charlotte Webster-
Over 23,000 referrals have been made by police to support children affected by domestic abuse in Northern Ireland, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Operation Encompass, a safeguarding scheme launched in Northern Ireland, facilitates the swift sharing of information between police and schools to ensure that children who experience domestic abuse receive the necessary support during challenging times.
The scheme, piloted in 2021 and officially rolled out in May 2023 across all 1,162 schools and Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) centers in Northern Ireland, has been lauded by police and partners for its effectiveness in aiding children affected by domestic abuse.
Philip Smith, Principal of Dunluce School, is supporting the scheme, but today declined to Tell The Eye Of Media.Com whether his school has many children affected by domestic violence.
Although a statement from the school about the referrals read: “The information passed through Operation Encompass allows the school to understand our children better and to have a greater appreciation of the context within which they find themselves.
“The telephone call from Police allows us to respond and understand what the day ahead may look like for a child. Not all calls dictate action, with some merely only a watching brief, but each call allows our safeguarding team to build a better picture around each child within our care.”
Dunluce School, Bushmills became part of the scheme in February 2023.
Under Operation Encompass, if police respond to a domestic abuse call where children are present, relevant information is shared with the safeguarding team at the child’s school the following morning.
This enables schools to provide timely support to affected children which is particularly crucial.
Since the commencement of the 2021 school year, coinciding with the pilot launch of Operation Encompass, the PSNI has received an average of 2,750 reports of domestic incidents monthly across Northern Ireland, resulting in an average of 740 referrals each month.
These referrals have amounted to 23,448 instances where officers have notified the designated teacher at the relevant school.
Detective Chief Superintendent, Lindsay Fisher, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Public Protection Branch said: “We respond to an incident of domestic abuse, on average, every 17 minutes, and unfortunately children are often present.
“The lasting effects on children who are exposed to domestic abuse cannot be under estimated. We see first-hand every day the devastating impact of the trauma that children experience from seeing, overhearing or coming back into a house where there has been a domestic abuse incident.
“To think before this scheme, those same children were going to school the next day, often exhausted, feeling like they had no one to speak to who would understand is heart-breaking.
“This is why we are incredibly proud to have rolled out this important scheme across Northern Ireland. Operation Encompass allows us to share information with schools in quick time so that no child is left unsupported through times that are incredibly difficult for them.
“Domestic abuse, in all its forms, has no place in our society and tackling these crimes remains one of Police Service of Northern Ireland’s top priorities.”
Michael Kelly, Head of Service for the Child Protection Support Service, at the Education Authority, said: “The continuing development and implementation of Operation Encompass is a demonstration of our commitment, to ensuring that all of our schools are equipped to support the most vulnerable children.
“We know that domestic abuse is a common feature in the lives of many of our children. Feedback from schools during the rollout has indicated that Operation Encompass has been transformational in terms of a teacher’s ability to provide timely and informed support to child victims of domestic violence. We are delighted with the success of the regional rollout and look forward to continued work with our partners in this area.
“I would once again like to pay tribute to school based staff who have worked very hard in a challenging environment to get us to our current position.”
Co-founders of Operation Encompass, Elisabeth and David Carney-Haworth OBE’s said: “We know that the financial cost of information sharing through Operation Encompass is minimal but the value to our society but most importantly to the child victims of domestic abuse is immeasurable.
“When a child experiences domestic abuse in their home who can they turn to, who can enable that instant nurturing and support? The Key Adult in their school is perfectly placed to undertake this role and the knowledge that they have through Operation Encompass enables them to ensure each child victim of domestic abuse is fully and appropriately supported.
“As the creators of Operation Encompass it is rewarding for us to see the progress since our first presentation in Queen’s University, Belfast all those years ago in 2016 and it is heart-warming to see that, working together, the agencies in Northern Ireland have embraced Operation Encompass with such honesty, integrity and enthusiasm. They were the first country to ensure that Operation Encompass was enshrined in legislation and this first anniversary is enabling them to recognise the positive impact that this has had for the children of Northern Ireland.
“We applaud the dedication of each agency.”
Dr Emma Corrigan Consultant and Educational Psychologist said: “Operation Encompass is an essential safeguarding partnership that sets a template for effective communication and information sharing. I don’t think we can overstate the positive difference this makes and the impact it has on literally thousands of children across the UK and beyond.
“We know that the familiarity and safety of school and the everyday relationships with staff can be a significant protective factor in children’s lives. The vital information sharing between the police and education enables those staff that know a child well to have the understanding that is needed at the very earliest opportunity.
“By having information shared before the start of the school day, staff can ensure the most suitable adjustments are in place for when the child arrives and that those who know the child well can provide attuned trauma-informed support.
Often this may involve small things that signal safety and provide opportunities for experiencing connection and security to more significant adjustments and changes within a child’s school day.
The response can be nuanced and tailored based on the knowledge and understanding school snow have through Operation Encompass”.