Schools step in to support victims of domestic abuse

Operation Encompass aims to ensure every school in the borough has someone pupils can turn to if they have witnessed an abusive act in the home.

Last year, 40 people underwent training with a further 70 now having completed the training course.

The scheme is backed by South Tyneside Council, Northumbria Police and all schools and academies.

It involves two members of staff from each school taking on the role of key adults who will receive information each day about domestic abuse pupils may have witnessed or been involved in.

The agencies will then work together to share information with a view of providing additional support to young people.

Coun Joan Atkinson, lead member for children, young people and families, said: “It is crucial that staff in our schools and academies have the right level of training to enable them to provide appropriate support to our young people who have been affected by domestic abuse.

“We are aware that similar schemes across the country have proved to be very popular and resulted in better outcomes for children, so it is only right that we offer this service for our young people.”

The scheme will cover all South Tyneside pupils between the ages of four and 18.

Coun Tracey Dixon, chairwoman of the community safety partnership, added: “Domestic abuse can affect children in a number of ways.

“While we can’t prevent such incidents, we can make sure that appropriate staff are made aware of these incidents as early as possible to provide support and make them feel safe and included.”

Operation Encompass was launched earlier this year. All parents have been sent a letter from their child’s school informing them about the scheme.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird, said: “Many children suffer the effects of domestic abuse, often in silence, and by working together we really can make a difference and improve their lives.”