Stockton children affected by domestic violence to be helped in school
Operation Encompass has already helped over 600 children across the Tees Valley and is launching in Stockton from today.
Children and young people in Stockton whp've been affected by domestic violence will now get specialist support at school.
It's part of Cleveland Police's Operation Encompass, which has already been sucessful in other parts of Teesside.
Police will inform schools or colleges if one of their children has been involved in a domestic incident in the previous 24 hours.
A specialist will then offer support to the child.
It's hoped the scheme will help children who become withdrawn or disruptive as a result of domestic violence.
Over 600 children have already been helped by the scheme in Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool.
Stockton's launch took place on Thursday at Stockton Sixth Form College.
PCC Barry Coppinger said: “Launching Operation Encompass in Stockton means all our communities can be assured that children and young people will receive prompt and effective support should they be unfortunate enough to experience domestic abuse, whether indirectly or directly.
"I am delighted to have been able to fund the excellent work of the Encompass team and I am proud to be able to say we are now the first force in the country to deliver Encompass across the whole policing area."
Temporary Chief Constable Iain Spittal added: “Everyone has worked extremely hard to ensure Operation Encompass is up and running across the whole of Cleveland, well ahead of the March 2016 deadline they had set themselves.
“Protecting the most vulnerable in our society is an absolute priority for police and it is pleasing to see just how many children and young people this initiative has already helped. We appreciate the invaluable support and enthusiasm from education professionals who have got on board.”
Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We believe that every child deserves a good start in life and that nobody should have to live in fear of harm.
"We know how damaging the effects of domestic violence can be on children’s lives and so we are pleased to be working with Cleveland Police and other partners to roll out Operation Encompass across Stockton-on-Tees.
"This kind of specially designed help can make a positive difference by providing appropriate support to children and young people at a difficult and upsetting time in their lives.”