A SCHEME to protect children from domestic violence has been adopted by almost every school in York and North Yorkshire.

Operation Encompass was set up as a pilot scheme in January 2017 by North Yorkshire Police and the Safeguarding Children’s Boards for the City of York and North Yorkshire, to offer safeguarding and support to children caught up in incidents of domestic abuse.

Officers refer incidents of domestic abuse to key adults in schools, where a child between the ages of four and eighteen years of age has been directly involved, or has been a witness during the domestic incident, so support can be given to the child, and so far this year, more than 600 referrals have been made across the county.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Allan Harder, head of safeguarding at North Yorkshire Police, said: "It is crucial that police and other safeguarding agencies take action like this. We must continue to do everything we can to protect those who are vulnerable in our society. Children are all too often the unseen victims of domestic abuse and the impact upon them can be significant and long lasting.

"Six hundred and forty three referrals have been made so far in 2018 under Operation Encompass. This demonstrates the initiative is working and support is being provided, however we cannot say this is a positive thing. The figure means that more than six hundred children across our county have been exposed to domestic abuse and there is nothing at all good about that. We will continue to work with schools and other safeguarding agencies to make sure we can protect as many children as possible who are suffering unnecessarily as a result of domestic abuse but we also want to encourage victims to come forward and seek our help, in order to prevent further harm."

Simon Westwood, independent chair of the City of York Safeguarding Children Board, said: "Children are often the hidden victims of domestic abuse. They wrongly often feel a responsibility to protect a parent or carer. Operation Encompass enables schools to provide early support for children and young people while other agencies intervene to tackle the abuse."

Amanda Flanagan, children's services manager for IDAS, said: "Operation Encompass provides a further opportunity for IDAS’ children’s team to talk about domestic abuse with staff and pupils in schools and colleges.

"Through our innovative Safe Futures project, we offer a range of tailored support services to schools, colleges, children and young people. Working in partnership with the police, we have raised awareness about the effects of domestic abuse on children and young people and enabled school and college staff to support children to get the help through IDAS’ children’s team."

*Victims of domestic abuse should phone 101, press one and speak to the force control room, or if in immediate danger, phone 999. If you do not want to speak to the police, phone IDAS on 03000 110110 or go to idas.org.uk