Safeguarding
Operation Encompass
Sandfield Close Primary School participates in Operation Encompass, a national partnership between the police and educational settings. The scheme enables us to provide timely and sensitive support to children who may have experienced domestic abuse.
How does Operation Encompass work?
When the police attend an incident of domestic abuse involving someone connected to a child who attends our school, a trained member of our safeguarding team known as the Key Adult will normally be notified before the start of the next school day.
This information is shared securely and confidentially. It helps us understand how the child may have been affected and enables us to provide appropriate support during the school day.
Children who experience domestic abuse are recognised as victims in their own right. Information received through Operation Encompass is managed at child-protection level and is only shared with members of staff who need it to safeguard and support the child.
Further information is available from the official Operation Encompass website.
Information for parents and carers
Please use the links below to download information about Operation Encompass:
Our safeguarding team
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is:
Mrs S Lad – Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
She is supported by:
- Mrs L Reading – Deputy Headteacher and Deputy DSL
- Mrs H Khalifa – School Business Manager and Deputy DSL
- Mrs S Heselton – SENDCo and Deputy DSL
To report a non-urgent safeguarding concern involving a Sandfield Close pupil during normal school hours, please:
- Telephone 0116 266 0333
- Email dsl@sandfieldclose.leicester.sch.uk
- Speak directly to a member of the safeguarding team
Safeguarding Governor:
Mr Paresh Ruparel
Chair of Governors and Parent Governor
Email: pruparel@sandfieldclose.leicester.sch.uk
Our Safeguarding Governor provides strategic oversight and challenge on behalf of the Governing Body. This role does not replace the school’s safeguarding reporting procedures or the emergency services listed below.
Urgent safeguarding help
If a child or adult is in immediate danger, or a crime is taking place, call 999.
If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child in Leicester, contact the Leicester City Council Duty and Advice Service on 0116 454 1004. This service is available 24 hours a day.
For a non-emergency police matter, call 101 or visit the Police UK contact page.
Please do not email the school for an urgent safeguarding concern.
Safeguarding during school holidays and outside normal hours
The school’s safeguarding email address are checked periodically during school holidays. However, they are not monitored continuously, including during evenings and weekends, and should not be used as an emergency reporting service.
You may email dsl@sandfieldclose.leicester.sch.uk to leave a non-urgent message for the safeguarding team. We will respond when a member of the team next accesses the account.
If you are worried about a child, do not wait for the school to respond. Contact the Leicester City Council Duty and Advice Service on 0116 454 1004, or call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
Domestic abuse and safeguarding support
FreeVA – local support in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
Free, confidential support relating to domestic abuse and sexual violence:
- Call 0808 802 0028
- Text 07715 994 962
- Visit the FreeVA website
If the helpline is busy, you can leave a message. FreeVA aims to respond to calls and texts within 24 hours. In an emergency, always call 999.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Free and confidential support, available 24 hours a day:
- Call 0808 2000 247
- Visit the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website
NSPCC Helpline
Advice for adults who are worried about a child:
- Call 0808 800 5000
- Visit the NSPCC Helpline website
Childline
Free, confidential support for children and young people, available 24 hours a day:
- Call 0800 1111
- Visit the Childline website