Support for Children
The Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Children’s Service
The Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Children’s Service provides support for children aged between 4 and 17 who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse.
Support is provided in schools, nurseries, colleges or community venues.
The service offers the below:
- Safety advice, planning and reassurance
- Advocacy – highlighting the child’s wishes and how the abuse has impacted them
- Understanding the criminal justice process and attending court
- Healthy relationships work
- Coping strategies and managing emotions
- Safe use of technology
- Support for children residing in Refuge safe accommodation
Posters are available to download below:
Referrals can be made using the referral form (DOCX, 253 KB), please confirm consent with a safe parent/guardian.
Operation Encompass
How it works
Operation Encompass aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support.
When the police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved, they notify the designated safeguarding lead at the child’s school before the start of the next school day. The safeguarding lead then makes sure the child gets the immediate support that they need.
Training is also offered to school staff - teaching them to identify and support children affected by domestic abuse.
The programme operates in all police forces in the UK. It is available for every school in every police force. Where police forces have the capacity, they include registered nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.
How you can help
If you're a parent or carer concerned about a child affected by domestic abuse speak to the designated safeguarding lead at the child’s school.
Anyone from a school or education organisation can register for access to a free, online training package on the Operation Encompass website.If you're interested in signing your school up to Operation Encompass, or would like more information, email the Operation Encompass team.
Helpline
The Operation Encompass Professionals’ National Advice and Guidance helpline is available on 0204 513 9990, Monday to Friday, 8am-1pm.
It offers free advice to teachers from educational or clinical psychologists on how best to support individual children. They can also discuss whole school policies and practices about supporting children experiencing domestic abuse.
More information
You can find more information at Operation Encompass website . All materials and resources are free for schools to use.