Friday 5 October 2012

Children at risk from supportive parents watching them play football.

" Parents wanting to watch their children play sport at a specialist sports college have been banned from attending home matches
Teachers at the 1,280-pupil Lea Valley High School in Enfield, north London, wrote to parents at the start of term, telling them the decision had been made because of ‘child protection rules’. "

What I find fascinating is the arguments that are used : 

“We appreciate that parents/carers may wish to come along and watch and support their children.
'However, as a school staff, we have a duty of care to our students and have to ensure that appropriate safeguarding and children protection policies are adopted, implemented and monitored.
'As such, for our students’ safekeeping, we must state that we cannot permit parents/carers or other adults on site at these times, and hope that you will understand and support us in this decision."

It is just like saying "because we care deeply for your children's welfare, you can understand why we cannot allow you to see them during sports events. I know you will also agree with us."

I find human reason so weak, but it is power that allows this to occur. Institutions have the power to write to parents behind language such as 'duty of care' to our students (rather than your children) and 'appropriate safeguarding and children protection policies are adopted, implemented and monitored.' and they can then 'implement' such 'policies'.

I can just imagine parents not having a duty of care to their children and not safeguarding their children.  How on earth the love of a parent over their children can offer less protection than a paid person, I do not understand.  Unfortunately this level of thinking is now becoming more and more normalised in our society. 

The battle of ideas is real; it is those in authority whose ideas tend to win.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2212944/Sports-college-bans-parents-watching-competitive-matches-child-protection-rules.html

No comments:

Post a Comment