Support For Hartlepool Children Affected By Domestic Abuse
Schools, Cleveland Police and Hartlepool Council are working together to help children who witness, experience or who are victims of domestic abuse.
Schools, Cleveland Police and Hartlepool Council are working together to help children who witness, experience or who are victims of domestic abuse.
It will see teachers being told if there has been an incident before the next school day, then support can be offered to a child.
Children who are affected by domestic violence are thought to often become withdrawn, disruptive in class or even physically lash out.
Cleveland Police and Hartlepool Council are the first in the country to pledge to roll it out across the whole force area.
Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer said: “Tackling domestic abuse is an absolute priority for the Force. Operation Encompass is a perfect example of our Victim First policy, which is at the heart of what we do.
“We can and already do record if children are present, witness or are involved in domestic abuse situations but Cleveland Police has never asked the simple question of which school they attend. I’m convinced this will greatly help youngsters who can suffer in many ways – either in the immediate aftermath of seeing or experiencing domestic abuse, or days, weeks or even months down the line.”
Gill Alexander, Director of Child & Adult Services for Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Domestic abuse can have a devastating effect on children and young people and it’s so important to have the best possible support mechanisms in place.
“We already have excellent systems in place to share information among the relevant agencies but this initiative will improve things further by ensuring that schools are informed immediately of any issues that could impact on a child’s life.
“The safeguarding of children and young people is at the centre of this initiative and I support it wholeheartedly.”