Domestic abuse notifications to schools.
Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people in a relationship but it isn’t just physical violence – domestic abuse includes emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.
Abusive behaviour can occur in any relationship. It can continue even after the relationship has ended. Both men and women can be abused or abusers.
Domestic abuse can have a serious and lasting impact on children and young people. Witnessing domestic abuse is recognised as a form of child abuse, and young people may also experience abuse within their own relationships. The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (DDSCP) provides guidance on the effects of domestic abuse on children and the actions professionals should take in response.
Exposure to domestic abuse can affect a child's emotional wellbeing, development and social functioning. To support the early identification of need and enable timely intervention, Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Constabulary have developed a process through which schools receive secure notifications of domestic incidents involving children attending Derbyshire schools. Notifications are provided for all police-recorded domestic abuse incidents involving statutory school-age children, ensuring schools are aware of concerns and can respond appropriately.
This process, known locally as Stopping Domestic Abuse Together (SDAT), is Derby and Derbyshire's version of the national Operation Encompass initiative. Derbyshire Constabulary leads the programme in partnership with the DDSCP, its education groups and the DDSCP Team. The DDSCP SDAT Checklist supports schools in reviewing their arrangements and identifying any actions needed to strengthen communication, safeguarding practice and responses to domestic abuse notifications
Border police forces have developed similar notifications to schools in their authority. The purpose of the notification is to alert the school so that they can provide advice, care and support to the child in the school and liaise with partner agencies if required.
If your school safeguarding email address has changed, please inform:
The DDSCP publication Domestic Abuse Handbook has been created to support practitioners across all agencies in recognising the profound impact domestic abuse has on children—including unborn babies—and to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to respond effectively.
This handbook draws on learning from statutory reviews, the lived experiences of children, and best practice across the safeguarding sector. It also places the voice of the child at the heart of our collective response, ensuring that every intervention is informed, compassionate, and focused on safety and wellbeing. The handbook aims to improve outcomes, enhance collaboration across services, and embed trauma-informed practice. Here you will find resources, live links and a safety planning document.
Safer Derbyshire is our domestic abuse support and information service in Derbyshire. This site provides information and training for the public and practitioners.