Safeguarding update: Operation Encompass for Devon Early Years – updates since going live

The Devon Early Years and Childcare Service has been working with Devon and Cornwall Police to find a system where by early years providers can receive Operation Encompass style notifications. The system is now live and was launched in August.

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling early years providers / schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to an early years provider or school trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Officer (known as key Adult). Contact will be made to you from the MASH researchers prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

The system works similarly to MASH enquiries where by providers will receive a call from a member of the Early Years Adviser team asking to speak to the DSL. They ask the DSL if a child or family is attending and if so explain that there has been domestic abuse incident relating to child’s family / carers. The aim from sharing this information is to secure better outcomes for children to enable providers to better understand the impact of living with domestic abuse has upon on children and better understand the child’s lived experience and to therefore be able to support and nurture the child making their day better.

Training:

There is online training for DSLs around the operation Encompass which is known as Online Key Adult Training: Operation Encompass this is really helpful and we recommend that DSL’s complete this.

For more information on Operation Encompass visit: Home : Operation Encompass