I have today received a request regarding whether CRB and ISA Certfiicates are needed for twinning group members hosting young and/or vulnerable people during exchange visits.
I believe (personally) that the constantly held rumour that all hosting of such groups will not in future be possible without CRB checks, is merely that, an urban rumour.
There may be certain authorities that require such checks, however, I think that it would be impossible to run checks on everyone in the twinning movement, because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the system would not be able to cope with it.
I think that the main "get out" for twinners is the requirement for CRB checks to be made only in a "regulated" environment and when it includes "regular" contact with the vulnerable groups:-
ie. In general terms however, there is no legal requirement
to CRB check volunteers. Unless this volunteering is in a
‘regulated’ setting such as a care home or a school and
even then only when the volunteer has regular contact
with either vulnerable adults or children.
Excerpt from guidelines;Criminal Records Bureau checksGuidance for volunteering
I have today written to the "Independent Safeguaarding Authority" asking for official clarification of the situation, and as soon as I receive a reply I will post it here.
I hope this information and the link will be of help as I know it is a matter of concern to many twinning associations, and despite the afore mentioned email query received today, it was also discussed during the Northamptonshire County Twinning Committee meeting last night who also would like to receive clarification.
If this has been an issue with your group, could you please let us know, either within this forum, or by email to the "Portal" website.
Thank you
Alan
Full Version: CRB checks for hosts
QUOTE(alan @ Nov 6 2008, 06:38 PM) 
I have today received a request regarding whether CRB and ISA Certfiicates are needed for twinning group members hosting young and/or vulnerable people during exchange visits.
I believe (personally) that the constantly held rumour that all hosting of such groups will not in future be possible without CRB checks, is merely that, an urban rumour.
There may be certain authorities that require such checks, however, I think that it would be impossible to run checks on everyone in the twinning movement, because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the system would not be able to cope with it.
I think that the main "get out" for twinners is the requirement for CRB checks to be made only in a "regulated" environment and when it includes "regular" contact with the vulnerable groups:-
ie. In general terms however, there is no legal requirement
to CRB check volunteers. Unless this volunteering is in a
‘regulated’ setting such as a care home or a school and
even then only when the volunteer has regular contact
with either vulnerable adults or children.
Excerpt from guidelines;Criminal Records Bureau checksGuidance for volunteering
I have today written to the "Independent Safeguaarding Authority" asking for official clarification of the situation, and as soon as I receive a reply I will post it here.
I hope this information and the link will be of help as I know it is a matter of concern to many twinning associations, and despite the afore mentioned email query received today, it was also discussed during the Northamptonshire County Twinning Committee meeting last night who also would like to receive clarification.
If this has been an issue with your group, could you please let us know, either within this forum, or by email to the "Portal" website.
Thank you
Alan
I believe (personally) that the constantly held rumour that all hosting of such groups will not in future be possible without CRB checks, is merely that, an urban rumour.
There may be certain authorities that require such checks, however, I think that it would be impossible to run checks on everyone in the twinning movement, because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the system would not be able to cope with it.
I think that the main "get out" for twinners is the requirement for CRB checks to be made only in a "regulated" environment and when it includes "regular" contact with the vulnerable groups:-
ie. In general terms however, there is no legal requirement
to CRB check volunteers. Unless this volunteering is in a
‘regulated’ setting such as a care home or a school and
even then only when the volunteer has regular contact
with either vulnerable adults or children.
Excerpt from guidelines;Criminal Records Bureau checksGuidance for volunteering
I have today written to the "Independent Safeguaarding Authority" asking for official clarification of the situation, and as soon as I receive a reply I will post it here.
I hope this information and the link will be of help as I know it is a matter of concern to many twinning associations, and despite the afore mentioned email query received today, it was also discussed during the Northamptonshire County Twinning Committee meeting last night who also would like to receive clarification.
If this has been an issue with your group, could you please let us know, either within this forum, or by email to the "Portal" website.
Thank you
Alan
Yes this is an issue for several youth groups ie swimmers and a couple of school exchanges. I would be really interested in the answer - I heard David Cameron going on about unneccessary CIB checks recently.
QUOTE(Janet @ Nov 12 2008, 08:15 PM)
QUOTE(alan @ Nov 6 2008, 06:38 PM)
I have today received a request regarding whether CRB and ISA Certfiicates are needed for twinning group members hosting young and/or vulnerable people during exchange visits.
I believe (personally) that the constantly held rumour that all hosting of such groups will not in future be possible without CRB checks, is merely that, an urban rumour.
There may be certain authorities that require such checks, however, I think that it would be impossible to run checks on everyone in the twinning movement, because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the system would not be able to cope with it.
I think that the main "get out" for twinners is the requirement for CRB checks to be made only in a "regulated" environment and when it includes "regular" contact with the vulnerable groups:-
ie. In general terms however, there is no legal requirement
to CRB check volunteers. Unless this volunteering is in a
‘regulated’ setting such as a care home or a school and
even then only when the volunteer has regular contact
with either vulnerable adults or children.
Excerpt from guidelines;Criminal Records Bureau checksGuidance for volunteering
I have today written to the "Independent Safeguaarding Authority" asking for official clarification of the situation, and as soon as I receive a reply I will post it here.
I hope this information and the link will be of help as I know it is a matter of concern to many twinning associations, and despite the afore mentioned email query received today, it was also discussed during the Northamptonshire County Twinning Committee meeting last night who also would like to receive clarification.
If this has been an issue with your group, could you please let us know, either within this forum, or by email to the "Portal" website.
Thank you
Alan
I believe (personally) that the constantly held rumour that all hosting of such groups will not in future be possible without CRB checks, is merely that, an urban rumour.
There may be certain authorities that require such checks, however, I think that it would be impossible to run checks on everyone in the twinning movement, because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the system would not be able to cope with it.
I think that the main "get out" for twinners is the requirement for CRB checks to be made only in a "regulated" environment and when it includes "regular" contact with the vulnerable groups:-
ie. In general terms however, there is no legal requirement
to CRB check volunteers. Unless this volunteering is in a
‘regulated’ setting such as a care home or a school and
even then only when the volunteer has regular contact
with either vulnerable adults or children.
Excerpt from guidelines;Criminal Records Bureau checksGuidance for volunteering
I have today written to the "Independent Safeguaarding Authority" asking for official clarification of the situation, and as soon as I receive a reply I will post it here.
I hope this information and the link will be of help as I know it is a matter of concern to many twinning associations, and despite the afore mentioned email query received today, it was also discussed during the Northamptonshire County Twinning Committee meeting last night who also would like to receive clarification.
If this has been an issue with your group, could you please let us know, either within this forum, or by email to the "Portal" website.
Thank you
Alan
Yes this is an issue for several youth groups ie swimmers and a couple of school exchanges. I would be really interested in the answer - I heard David Cameron going on about unneccessary CIB checks recently.
I would be interested to hear of any developments on the matter of CRB checks. Our local swimming club is wondering whether to pull out of exchanges that have been taking place for more than 40 years, because of pressure to have families in France vetted this year, then families here vetted next year, etc. I have ordered the publication "Safe Twinning - Child Protection Policy and Guidance" (I hope it will arrive very soon), so that we can think about a risk assessment, but the exchange is due to take place in May, so not much time for this year. Most of our other groups of children use group accommodation, but the swimming club and another club have trusted each other's officials for over 40 years - a delicate situation, as, in France, no necessity exists to change the status quo.
I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has experienced similar.
Many thanks.
svta.
Could I at this point direct your attention to the article within our article section entitled "Why have school trips developed a bad reputation" written by our past Chairman Max Hill, an educational consultant and ex head teacher, who has much experience in this field and has been active since 1997 in arranging our annual English Summer Schools in Poland.
The article can be found by clicking here
Information on the Summer Schools can also be found here
This subject also came up at our AGM last night, and I think that we all read the requirements as needing :- A sensible risk assessment, and taking all REASONABLE precautions.
We will still try to obtain official guidance if possible, but I am sure that the requirement that ALL participants should have CRB will never come to pass, and is totally unreasonable to expect. Especially in view of the fact that many of the countries with which we twin do not have similar systems.
We should also consider that fact that most of the adults accompanying these children on trips are themselves parents who would be able to act either on behalf of their own children or in "loco parentis" for the others, and that most of the hosts will be parents themselves and would also be expected to act in the same way.
it is also possible that most Associations wil have someone in attendance who has been CRB checked as a result of their normal job,eg. a Council Employee, Educationalist, Care Worker, Medical Worker all of whom have had to have this check done and can surely be trusted to ensure that the children in your group are cared for.
Some of the above are merely my own thoughts and suggestions, but we are always open to any comments.
Alan
The article can be found by clicking here
Information on the Summer Schools can also be found here
This subject also came up at our AGM last night, and I think that we all read the requirements as needing :- A sensible risk assessment, and taking all REASONABLE precautions.
We will still try to obtain official guidance if possible, but I am sure that the requirement that ALL participants should have CRB will never come to pass, and is totally unreasonable to expect. Especially in view of the fact that many of the countries with which we twin do not have similar systems.
We should also consider that fact that most of the adults accompanying these children on trips are themselves parents who would be able to act either on behalf of their own children or in "loco parentis" for the others, and that most of the hosts will be parents themselves and would also be expected to act in the same way.
it is also possible that most Associations wil have someone in attendance who has been CRB checked as a result of their normal job,eg. a Council Employee, Educationalist, Care Worker, Medical Worker all of whom have had to have this check done and can surely be trusted to ensure that the children in your group are cared for.
Some of the above are merely my own thoughts and suggestions, but we are always open to any comments.
Alan
QUOTE(alan @ Jan 16 2009, 11:57 PM)
Could I at this point direct your attention to the article within our article section entitled "Why have school trips developed a bad reputation" written by our past Chairman Max Hill, an educational consultant and ex head teacher, who has much experience in this field and has been active since 1997 in arranging our annual English Summer Schools in Poland.
The article can be found by clicking here
Information on the Summer Schools can also be found here
This subject also came up at our AGM last night, and I think that we all read the requirements as needing :- A sensible risk assessment, and taking all REASONABLE precautions.
We will still try to obtain official guidance if possible, but I am sure that the requirement that ALL participants should have CRB will never come to pass, and is totally unreasonable to expect. Especially in view of the fact that many of the countries with which we twin do not have similar systems.
We should also consider that fact that most of the adults accompanying these children on trips are themselves parents who would be able to act either on beahlf of their own children or in "loco parentis" for the others, and that most of the hosts will be parents themselves and would also be expected to act in the same way.
it is also possible that most Associations wil have someone in attendance who has been CRB checked as a result of their normal job,eg. a Council Employee, Educationalist, Care Worker, Medical Worker all of whom have had to have this check done and can surely be trusted to ensure that the children in your group are cared for.
Some of the above are merely my own thoughts and suggestions, but we are always open to any comments.
Alan
The article can be found by clicking here
Information on the Summer Schools can also be found here
This subject also came up at our AGM last night, and I think that we all read the requirements as needing :- A sensible risk assessment, and taking all REASONABLE precautions.
We will still try to obtain official guidance if possible, but I am sure that the requirement that ALL participants should have CRB will never come to pass, and is totally unreasonable to expect. Especially in view of the fact that many of the countries with which we twin do not have similar systems.
We should also consider that fact that most of the adults accompanying these children on trips are themselves parents who would be able to act either on beahlf of their own children or in "loco parentis" for the others, and that most of the hosts will be parents themselves and would also be expected to act in the same way.
it is also possible that most Associations wil have someone in attendance who has been CRB checked as a result of their normal job,eg. a Council Employee, Educationalist, Care Worker, Medical Worker all of whom have had to have this check done and can surely be trusted to ensure that the children in your group are cared for.
Some of the above are merely my own thoughts and suggestions, but we are always open to any comments.
Alan
Thank you for the help, the articles were very interesting and very useful.
It now turns out that our swimming club would be able to trust the officials of the swimming club in France to select suitable host families, as usual, but that they have additional problems, several resulting from pressures from their umbrella organisation, others from the fact that the swimming club in France has lost numbers recently (when their pool had a long period of closure), and they've decided not to do the exchange this year. So it's all out of our control now at the Twinning Association, but hopefully, the swimmers will be able to join in again in a future year soon.
Our main problem now is to try to get the gymnastics club (who usually share the coach and cost of it with the swimmers) from the North West of England to the North East of France for a reasonable price per head.
The items on your forums are very useful indeed. It will take some time to go through all that seem useful. I will do it gradually.
We are in the process of setting up a website. I will give you a link to it when it is in a more respectable form than it is at the moment.
SVTA.
Thank you SVTA for your information, it is always good to hear from our members and I am pleased that you find our website useful.
It is always our intention to try and help with twinning matters, and if the information is not available immediately on the website we will do our utmost to try and provide either answers or guidance as to where to look.
We also have other members who can sometimes help out from their own experience, all of which is the reason we made our group website into a national one in order that we can all help each other.
The only other National website for Twinning Groups is the International Branch of the Local Government Association, but their activities are more of a general nature whereas we can try to concentrate on individual cases, and try to give personal attention to your problems or enquries.
However, please do not read into this any criticism of the LGA, who can be very helpful indeed and have given us their blessing and permission to use their material if we need to, it is just that the set-up here is very much based upon the individual touch rather than having to deal all the time with the greater picture and follow political and/or governmental guidance.
Alan
It is always our intention to try and help with twinning matters, and if the information is not available immediately on the website we will do our utmost to try and provide either answers or guidance as to where to look.
We also have other members who can sometimes help out from their own experience, all of which is the reason we made our group website into a national one in order that we can all help each other.
The only other National website for Twinning Groups is the International Branch of the Local Government Association, but their activities are more of a general nature whereas we can try to concentrate on individual cases, and try to give personal attention to your problems or enquries.
However, please do not read into this any criticism of the LGA, who can be very helpful indeed and have given us their blessing and permission to use their material if we need to, it is just that the set-up here is very much based upon the individual touch rather than having to deal all the time with the greater picture and follow political and/or governmental guidance.
Alan
In case anyone wants to follow up the guidance from the Independent Safeguarding Authority their website can be found here.
This website is now updated with the latest guidance due to apply from 20th January 2009.
It is basically directed towards teachers and other people who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults, but can also apply to "volunteers".
I still personally feel that my comments above are still valid, and in situations such as SVTA you will often find that the leaders of Swimming and Gymnastics Clubs, and similar organisation are already CRB checked for club purposes and therefore should cover any legal requirements.
However, please check out the ISA website for yourself and make your own decisions and also bear in mind that there are minor differences in respect of Wales and Northern Ireland which can be followed up on the ISA website.
Alan
This website is now updated with the latest guidance due to apply from 20th January 2009.
It is basically directed towards teachers and other people who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults, but can also apply to "volunteers".
I still personally feel that my comments above are still valid, and in situations such as SVTA you will often find that the leaders of Swimming and Gymnastics Clubs, and similar organisation are already CRB checked for club purposes and therefore should cover any legal requirements.
However, please check out the ISA website for yourself and make your own decisions and also bear in mind that there are minor differences in respect of Wales and Northern Ireland which can be followed up on the ISA website.
Alan
This has so far been a fairly lively discussion but despite no response from the Independent Safeguarding Authority we do have some hopeful news for you.
One of our member groups has spoken with their local Member of Parliament and explained the situation. He has said he would be willing to speak in Parliament on a 10 minute amendment rule but that we would have to say exactly what we wanted amending.
Do any of you have any suggestions regarding this and the clarificaton of the law that we would need. We do not have any politicians among our members, or law writers so are looking for suggestions, comments and advice on how this can be worded to fulfill our requirements for our youth exchanges.
Please respond as soon as possible as I am not at the moment sure how long we have to make our suggestions, obvi=iously, with many exchanges due this summer we need ananswer as soon as possible.
One Twinning Group who are having problems is Dunbar and they have said as much on their website , the particular extract if here:-
There are issues we give us cause for concern for the future.
The maintenance of school links due to the Child Protection Act is worrying. Can a balance be found?
The lack of interest in the communities, especially Dunbar. We try very hard to involve more people but in common with many other voluntary organisations there is difficulty in finding adults who are prepared to take on community projects. Health and Safety regulations may be partly responsible for that,
This is a sticking point for so many of us that we need to sort this as soon as possible or we can kiss goodbye to a lot of our youth exchanges, which does not bode well for the future of the Twinning Movement and our aims of international understanding and hopefully our contribution to peace in the world due to more understanding of different cultures, religions etc.
Please respond as soon as possible, and ask your own MP to intervene as well.
Alan
One of our member groups has spoken with their local Member of Parliament and explained the situation. He has said he would be willing to speak in Parliament on a 10 minute amendment rule but that we would have to say exactly what we wanted amending.
Do any of you have any suggestions regarding this and the clarificaton of the law that we would need. We do not have any politicians among our members, or law writers so are looking for suggestions, comments and advice on how this can be worded to fulfill our requirements for our youth exchanges.
Please respond as soon as possible as I am not at the moment sure how long we have to make our suggestions, obvi=iously, with many exchanges due this summer we need ananswer as soon as possible.
One Twinning Group who are having problems is Dunbar and they have said as much on their website , the particular extract if here:-
There are issues we give us cause for concern for the future.
The maintenance of school links due to the Child Protection Act is worrying. Can a balance be found?
The lack of interest in the communities, especially Dunbar. We try very hard to involve more people but in common with many other voluntary organisations there is difficulty in finding adults who are prepared to take on community projects. Health and Safety regulations may be partly responsible for that,
This is a sticking point for so many of us that we need to sort this as soon as possible or we can kiss goodbye to a lot of our youth exchanges, which does not bode well for the future of the Twinning Movement and our aims of international understanding and hopefully our contribution to peace in the world due to more understanding of different cultures, religions etc.
Please respond as soon as possible, and ask your own MP to intervene as well.
Alan
Anyone considering an overseas visit with a youth group may wish to consider the following from "The Outdoor Education Advisors Panel", the link can be found here
Alan
Alan
QUOTE(alan @ Jan 26 2009, 11:29 PM)
Anyone considering an overseas visit with a youth group may wish to consider the following from "The Outdoor Education Advisors Panel", the link can be found here
Alan
Alan
I'm pleased to read all this progress. I'll go through "The Outdoor Education Advisors Panel" document as soon as I can. I will also approach our local MP, who has been supportive to us on several occasions.
As regards school exchanges, I was also feeling disappointed about the way things were going:
A local primary school has been doing an exchange with a primary school in our twin town for 5 years now. It's very successful indeed. The groups stay in hostel accommodation on both sides, and they have working sessions with their counterparts in school. One year, an arrangement was made for the pupils to spend an afternoon in the homes of some of their counterparts. They went in twos, and mostly to the families of teachers ....... It was very successful, although the Head of the school here tells me that she was on tenterhooks as to how it would work out, and whether it would lead to problems. She also tells me that the pupils have asked why they can't spend more time in French homes, to see how they live, how things are done, etc. .............
As a spin-off from this exchange, the pupils on both sides, having moved on to High School, have asked their teachers whether it would be possible to continue the link. I am trying to get a local High School interested. I have emphasised in my letters that, "accommodation can be in groups, in hostels" (although I know it is expensive). Only this weekend, I had a message from the teacher in the High School in France, who is raring to go, with no such problems in view, and already has permissions in place, encouragement from the Rectorat, which is keen to encourage twinning.
At the same time, the Town Hall in France has a new person i/c twinning, who tells us how important it is for young people to get away from groups for some time and into homes, whereas we have to introduce him to the difficulties ................. Enough said!!
SVTA.
Hallo Eileen,
Thanks for your response,, I agree that it is important for young people to get away from the groups for a least a short period to experience life with their hosts, which is one of the main reasons for taking them there, ie to experience different lifestyles, cultures etc, which can enrich their lives enormously.
It was interesting that recently, our local school, who have had a long term contact with a school in our German Twin Town, on the occasion of their last visit, the English Children themselves specifically asked if they could stay with families instead of as a group in either the school or hostel accomodation, and apparently the visit was a great success and I believe will be repeated in the future.
Perhaps we are molycoddling our children too much, wrapping them in too much cotton wool, when, if the truth be known they are fully capable of coping with various situations.
Provided there are sufficient safeguards put into place most kids will be quite comfortable with the experience. Lets face it, these sort of experiences can make an enormous impact upon their future lives and can be the future of our organisations.
Alan
Thanks for your response,, I agree that it is important for young people to get away from the groups for a least a short period to experience life with their hosts, which is one of the main reasons for taking them there, ie to experience different lifestyles, cultures etc, which can enrich their lives enormously.
It was interesting that recently, our local school, who have had a long term contact with a school in our German Twin Town, on the occasion of their last visit, the English Children themselves specifically asked if they could stay with families instead of as a group in either the school or hostel accomodation, and apparently the visit was a great success and I believe will be repeated in the future.
Perhaps we are molycoddling our children too much, wrapping them in too much cotton wool, when, if the truth be known they are fully capable of coping with various situations.
Provided there are sufficient safeguards put into place most kids will be quite comfortable with the experience. Lets face it, these sort of experiences can make an enormous impact upon their future lives and can be the future of our organisations.
Alan
QUOTE(alan @ Jan 27 2009, 09:42 PM)
Hallo Eileen,
Thanks for your response,, I agree that it is important for young people to get away from the groups for a least a short period to experience life with their hosts, which is one of the main reasons for taking them there, ie to experience different lifestyles, cultures etc, which can enrich their lives enormously.
It was interesting that recently, our local school, who have had a long term contact with a school in our German Twin Town, on the occasion of their last visit, the English Children themselves specifically asked if they could stay with families instead of as a group in either the school or hostel accomodation, and apparently the visit was a great success and I believe will be repeated in the future.
Perhaps we are molycoddling our children too much, wrapping them in too much cotton wool, when, if the truth be known they are fully capable of coping with various situations.
Provided there are sufficient safeguards put into place most kids will be quite comfortable with the experience. Lets face it, these sort of experiences can make an enormous impact upon their future lives and can be the future of our organisations.
Alan
Thanks for your response,, I agree that it is important for young people to get away from the groups for a least a short period to experience life with their hosts, which is one of the main reasons for taking them there, ie to experience different lifestyles, cultures etc, which can enrich their lives enormously.
It was interesting that recently, our local school, who have had a long term contact with a school in our German Twin Town, on the occasion of their last visit, the English Children themselves specifically asked if they could stay with families instead of as a group in either the school or hostel accomodation, and apparently the visit was a great success and I believe will be repeated in the future.
Perhaps we are molycoddling our children too much, wrapping them in too much cotton wool, when, if the truth be known they are fully capable of coping with various situations.
Provided there are sufficient safeguards put into place most kids will be quite comfortable with the experience. Lets face it, these sort of experiences can make an enormous impact upon their future lives and can be the future of our organisations.
Alan
Thanks, Alan. I don't think we can help on suggestions for the amendment, as we've not got anyone with the appropriate level of professional expertise. I'll carry on thinking as to whether anyone could help us.
I've drafted a letter to our MP. I'll get it in order and send it as soon as possible.
Eileen, svta.
Following on from the previous discussion, I have today in the Daily Mail read the following
Minister uses Soham murders to justify placing one in four Britons on Big Brother child protection database
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12...l#ixzz0QnrdaKUk
Please read the article and post your comments on here.
This latest example of the "Nanny State" will impact on us all, not only in our twinning activities but also and other groups/clubs/activites where we can come into contact with either the young or the very elderly, in other words All parts of our lives.
The twinning movement as a whole is trying to attract more of the younger generations in to their activities, not alienate them or make if more difficult for people to take part.
It appears we will not be able to host foreign youngsters without paying a fortune for the necessary checks, but how will that impact on our children when they go abroad, it is impossible for us to insist that other countries whould change their laws in order to comply, does this mean the government will refuse youngsters permission to travel abroad unless the host country can apply our rules??
At what age are children defined to be a child, is it 10 years when a child can be prosecuted for a criminal offence?
is it 16 where under Scottish law a child reaches the age of majority? or is it 18 when under English & Welsh law a child reaches the age of majority? This is not clarified in the article.
This appears to be yet another ill thought out government legislatio which is, according to the article, going to be foist on us next month, yet what consultation hs there been with the public and the bodies and groups that will be affected.
This draconian scheme needs to be put to one side until there has been proper discussions and consultations with the affected parties, One way we can do this is if every twinning group, sports club etc write to their local MP to complain, also, with a General Election coming up, why not also write to the PPC (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate) of all parties for their support and help in ensuring some sense out of this situation.
We at "The Portal" wish to make it clear that we take the matter of child safety very much to heart and have been handling this issue in an adult and sensible manner since the conception of the twinning movement, and our personal opinion is, as had been mentioned in earlier posts on this subject, supported the idea of proper "Risk Assessments" and good safeguards being put in place following discussions between the participants of both the hosting country and the visiters.
Please act now, there is very little time left
It is due to be rolled out next month
Alan
Further reading on this subject
Twinning & Young People an article from the LGA (Local Government Association)
Why have School Trips Developed a Bad Reputation An article by Max Hill, Educational Advisor and Former Head Teacher
Minister uses Soham murders to justify placing one in four Britons on Big Brother child protection database
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12...l#ixzz0QnrdaKUk
Please read the article and post your comments on here.
This latest example of the "Nanny State" will impact on us all, not only in our twinning activities but also and other groups/clubs/activites where we can come into contact with either the young or the very elderly, in other words All parts of our lives.
The twinning movement as a whole is trying to attract more of the younger generations in to their activities, not alienate them or make if more difficult for people to take part.
It appears we will not be able to host foreign youngsters without paying a fortune for the necessary checks, but how will that impact on our children when they go abroad, it is impossible for us to insist that other countries whould change their laws in order to comply, does this mean the government will refuse youngsters permission to travel abroad unless the host country can apply our rules??
At what age are children defined to be a child, is it 10 years when a child can be prosecuted for a criminal offence?
is it 16 where under Scottish law a child reaches the age of majority? or is it 18 when under English & Welsh law a child reaches the age of majority? This is not clarified in the article.
This appears to be yet another ill thought out government legislatio which is, according to the article, going to be foist on us next month, yet what consultation hs there been with the public and the bodies and groups that will be affected.
This draconian scheme needs to be put to one side until there has been proper discussions and consultations with the affected parties, One way we can do this is if every twinning group, sports club etc write to their local MP to complain, also, with a General Election coming up, why not also write to the PPC (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate) of all parties for their support and help in ensuring some sense out of this situation.
We at "The Portal" wish to make it clear that we take the matter of child safety very much to heart and have been handling this issue in an adult and sensible manner since the conception of the twinning movement, and our personal opinion is, as had been mentioned in earlier posts on this subject, supported the idea of proper "Risk Assessments" and good safeguards being put in place following discussions between the participants of both the hosting country and the visiters.
Please act now, there is very little time left
It is due to be rolled out next month
Alan
Further reading on this subject
Twinning & Young People an article from the LGA (Local Government Association)
Why have School Trips Developed a Bad Reputation An article by Max Hill, Educational Advisor and Former Head Teacher
Tonight I have submitted a petition to No 10, requesting that the proposed "vetting & Barring" be postponed until the government have had meaningful consultations and discussions with the affected parties.
Nearly an hour later I am still awaiting the automated acknowledgement of receipt of my petition, this should take seconds, especially as they have told me I have been sent an email to confirm my submission.
The next stage is for them to consider whether to accept the petition, at which point, if it is accepted, I will publish the url for everyone to sign it electronically.
However, I still have to wait for the original email to appear out of the ether.
Alan
Nearly an hour later I am still awaiting the automated acknowledgement of receipt of my petition, this should take seconds, especially as they have told me I have been sent an email to confirm my submission.
The next stage is for them to consider whether to accept the petition, at which point, if it is accepted, I will publish the url for everyone to sign it electronically.
However, I still have to wait for the original email to appear out of the ether.
Alan
Please note that I wrote to the Independent Safeguarding Agency last November (see my post of 6th November 2008) and as yet they have not deigned to reply despite reminders. Not even an acknowledgement.
This does not hold out much hope of getting a reasonable response from them, also, if it takes that long, how long will it take to process an application.
Another annoying thing is that people who are already CRB checked by the nature of their job etc, have to be rechecked for every activity or organisation that brings them into touch with children. This means that I am CRB cecked because of the nature of my job with the local town council, if I wish to host children from abroad, I will need anoth CRBcheck, if I help pout with the Scouts, i will need to be checked again, if I volunteer to run vulnerable elderly people to a luncheon club, i will need to be checked again, all by the same authority, at a cost of £64 per application.
Why oh why, cannot one check do for all activities, it is appeaaring, like speed cameras, to be a cash cow for councils.
Alan
This does not hold out much hope of getting a reasonable response from them, also, if it takes that long, how long will it take to process an application.
Another annoying thing is that people who are already CRB checked by the nature of their job etc, have to be rechecked for every activity or organisation that brings them into touch with children. This means that I am CRB cecked because of the nature of my job with the local town council, if I wish to host children from abroad, I will need anoth CRBcheck, if I help pout with the Scouts, i will need to be checked again, if I volunteer to run vulnerable elderly people to a luncheon club, i will need to be checked again, all by the same authority, at a cost of £64 per application.
Why oh why, cannot one check do for all activities, it is appeaaring, like speed cameras, to be a cash cow for councils.
Alan
Is this YOU?
Everyone of our listed Groups should have received today an email outlining the postiition and asking for your help in trying to get this postponed until, at least, there has been some proper discussion and consultation.
Several of these emails were returned as undeliverable, if you have not had yours, please check whether you have updated your contact details recently, or that you inbox is not overfull.
Thank you
Alan
Everyone of our listed Groups should have received today an email outlining the postiition and asking for your help in trying to get this postponed until, at least, there has been some proper discussion and consultation.
Several of these emails were returned as undeliverable, if you have not had yours, please check whether you have updated your contact details recently, or that you inbox is not overfull.
Thank you
Alan
This morning we sent out the following email to all our members:-
Dear All,
I am writing this email to all our groups because new draconian laws for child safety are being introduced which will affect our activities.
You will no doubt have read in the Newspapers during the last week that the Independent Safeguarding Agency (ISA) is now demanding that anyone who comes into touch with children that are not their own offspring will now need to have a CRB (Criminal Record) check. This includes those who are giving a lift to their own childrens' friends to football practise, cubs etc. It is also designed to stop foreign exchange students or children on normal twinning trips from visiting unless the hosts, and probably the entire committee has been checked.
The current situation with youth groups such as scouts, guides, sports groups etc is that all leaders, helpers etc should be CRB checked before they are allowed to work with the youngsters, but now, the government wishes to include anyone who comes into contact with children.
We at "The Portal" are fully in agreement with taking the utmost precautions for the safety of children, the elderly and other vulnerable people, however, we feel that this is taking things tooo far, and throwing common sense out of the window.
Also, at what age does a child cease to be a child, at age 10 when they are legally responsible for criminal activity, age 16, the age of majority in Scotland or age 18 the Age of majority in England and 'Wales?
Most of us in the Twinning Movement are desperately trying to introduce the concept of twinning to a younger generation to replace those members who have been keeping the links alive for a long time, but are now gradually getting less in number through the onset of increasing years. We also want to promote the immensely satisfying richness of international integration, the learning, understanding and acceptance of different cultures/languages/costume etc. all of which could help to promote a greater chance of World Peace, something we should all strive for by meeting people at grass root level, rather than depending upon politicians to decide who we should be friends with.
Another problem with the CRB checks is the fact that you will probably need to be checked for each organisation or group you have contact with, eg, I work for my local Town Council for which I was CRB checked as I work with children and other vulnerable groups, If I assisted with the local Scouts I would need another check, if I volunteered to run the local pensioners to their luncheon club it would need another check, if I take my Grandchildren with a friend of theirs somewhere, I would have to be checked again, and as a twinning host I will need another check, probably all from the same local authority, yet it would need to be a new check each time at £64 a throw because you cannot carry the results of a CRB check from one organisation to another.
The ISA say when foreign students visit us everyone involved with their hosting will need to be CRB checked, but how are they going to ensure the same protection for our children/students travelling abroad, no other country has such a vigorous control scheme as we do, will we have to tell the hosts that they have to apply our laws before the government will allow them to leave the country??
Currently, the use of proper "Risk Assessments" and suitable "Safety Precautions" have been entirely satisfactory and there is no reason this could not continue, it is something we have been recommending in our discussions here
We emphasize again that we are 101% in favour of child safety, but feel strongly that this law has been introduced without any proper consultation or discussion with many of the affected groups and that the introduction of this should be, at least, postponed until it has been rethought and discussed properly.
To this end we are asking for your help and assistance by raising the issue with your local MP and also the PPC's (Proposed Parliamentory Candidates) of all parties during the next few months, also by telling your local press that your trips could be in jeopardy due to the new regulations. Why not pass this to all your group members and ask them to do the same.
With your help we could make a difference.
Thank you
--
Alan Wicks
National Co-ordinator for the UK Town Twinning Portal
www.towntwinning.org.uk
http://twitter.com/Towntwinner
If you did not get this please update your contact details.
In the following posts I will give extracts of some of the responses we have received.
Alan
http://twitter.com/Towntwinner
Dear All,
I am writing this email to all our groups because new draconian laws for child safety are being introduced which will affect our activities.
You will no doubt have read in the Newspapers during the last week that the Independent Safeguarding Agency (ISA) is now demanding that anyone who comes into touch with children that are not their own offspring will now need to have a CRB (Criminal Record) check. This includes those who are giving a lift to their own childrens' friends to football practise, cubs etc. It is also designed to stop foreign exchange students or children on normal twinning trips from visiting unless the hosts, and probably the entire committee has been checked.
The current situation with youth groups such as scouts, guides, sports groups etc is that all leaders, helpers etc should be CRB checked before they are allowed to work with the youngsters, but now, the government wishes to include anyone who comes into contact with children.
We at "The Portal" are fully in agreement with taking the utmost precautions for the safety of children, the elderly and other vulnerable people, however, we feel that this is taking things tooo far, and throwing common sense out of the window.
Also, at what age does a child cease to be a child, at age 10 when they are legally responsible for criminal activity, age 16, the age of majority in Scotland or age 18 the Age of majority in England and 'Wales?
Most of us in the Twinning Movement are desperately trying to introduce the concept of twinning to a younger generation to replace those members who have been keeping the links alive for a long time, but are now gradually getting less in number through the onset of increasing years. We also want to promote the immensely satisfying richness of international integration, the learning, understanding and acceptance of different cultures/languages/costume etc. all of which could help to promote a greater chance of World Peace, something we should all strive for by meeting people at grass root level, rather than depending upon politicians to decide who we should be friends with.
Another problem with the CRB checks is the fact that you will probably need to be checked for each organisation or group you have contact with, eg, I work for my local Town Council for which I was CRB checked as I work with children and other vulnerable groups, If I assisted with the local Scouts I would need another check, if I volunteered to run the local pensioners to their luncheon club it would need another check, if I take my Grandchildren with a friend of theirs somewhere, I would have to be checked again, and as a twinning host I will need another check, probably all from the same local authority, yet it would need to be a new check each time at £64 a throw because you cannot carry the results of a CRB check from one organisation to another.
The ISA say when foreign students visit us everyone involved with their hosting will need to be CRB checked, but how are they going to ensure the same protection for our children/students travelling abroad, no other country has such a vigorous control scheme as we do, will we have to tell the hosts that they have to apply our laws before the government will allow them to leave the country??
Currently, the use of proper "Risk Assessments" and suitable "Safety Precautions" have been entirely satisfactory and there is no reason this could not continue, it is something we have been recommending in our discussions here
We emphasize again that we are 101% in favour of child safety, but feel strongly that this law has been introduced without any proper consultation or discussion with many of the affected groups and that the introduction of this should be, at least, postponed until it has been rethought and discussed properly.
To this end we are asking for your help and assistance by raising the issue with your local MP and also the PPC's (Proposed Parliamentory Candidates) of all parties during the next few months, also by telling your local press that your trips could be in jeopardy due to the new regulations. Why not pass this to all your group members and ask them to do the same.
With your help we could make a difference.
Thank you
--
Alan Wicks
National Co-ordinator for the UK Town Twinning Portal
www.towntwinning.org.uk
http://twitter.com/Towntwinner
If you did not get this please update your contact details.
In the following posts I will give extracts of some of the responses we have received.
Alan
http://twitter.com/Towntwinner
Dear Alan,
Thanks for the info, much appreciated
Best regards
Kam Wong
Founder/Honorary Chairman
Bristol China Partnership
Thanks for the info, much appreciated
Best regards
Kam Wong
Founder/Honorary Chairman
Bristol China Partnership
From Corfe Castle Twinning Association, mail sent to all members on email;-
Have a look at this- it would appear to be ludicrous in the extreme. Nigel & I are police checked routinely, because we work in schools and do Youth ministry at church. I know at present we do not have any members that are juveniles, but should we expand the interaction between the local schools and Pont Hebert, that could change. One hopes that the Government will see sense, as these CRB’s cost about £20 a throw, and as it was pointed out to us recently when ours were re-done after three years, that technically they are ‘out of date’ the day after they are issued, as one is only monitored on past behaviour!!!
Ho hum,
Gillian
Have a look at this- it would appear to be ludicrous in the extreme. Nigel & I are police checked routinely, because we work in schools and do Youth ministry at church. I know at present we do not have any members that are juveniles, but should we expand the interaction between the local schools and Pont Hebert, that could change. One hopes that the Government will see sense, as these CRB’s cost about £20 a throw, and as it was pointed out to us recently when ours were re-done after three years, that technically they are ‘out of date’ the day after they are issued, as one is only monitored on past behaviour!!!
Ho hum,
Gillian
Beverly Lemgo Twinning Association
Many thanks for your email. I have just had an updated CRB, but realise that I would need another one as well, being involved with twinning. My new CRB covers my activites with the Local Involvement Network and its health premises monitoring programme. Regards Dr. Geoffrey Pearson
Many thanks for your email. I have just had an updated CRB, but realise that I would need another one as well, being involved with twinning. My new CRB covers my activites with the Local Involvement Network and its health premises monitoring programme. Regards Dr. Geoffrey Pearson
East Kilbride Twinning Association:-
I totally agree with you and this is something which has been discussed both within East Kilbride Twinning Association and South Lanarkshire Twinning Forum (the umbrella group for the area). We intend to seek clarification and will be lobbying should this be necessary.
Incidentally, the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is eight, not ten as in England and Wales. We cannot tell other countries to apply our laws. Denmark, for instance (we are twinned with a town near Copenhagen), has nothing like the ISA or Disclosure Scotland (I assume the CRB is the English equivalent).
It's all very worrying and could have a disastrous effect on youth exchanges.
Regards
Mary PirieSecretary, East Kilbride Twinning Association, Scotland
I totally agree with you and this is something which has been discussed both within East Kilbride Twinning Association and South Lanarkshire Twinning Forum (the umbrella group for the area). We intend to seek clarification and will be lobbying should this be necessary.
Incidentally, the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is eight, not ten as in England and Wales. We cannot tell other countries to apply our laws. Denmark, for instance (we are twinned with a town near Copenhagen), has nothing like the ISA or Disclosure Scotland (I assume the CRB is the English equivalent).
It's all very worrying and could have a disastrous effect on youth exchanges.
Regards
Mary PirieSecretary, East Kilbride Twinning Association, Scotland
Goring & District Twinning Association:-
Dear Alan
Many thanks for the email, I agree entirely with your thoughts, we need to be cautious, but bureaucracy would seem to be taking over with yet another stealth tax around the corner.
I will take this up with my MP who incidentally is a good friend of mine,
Let’s keep each other in the loop.
Regards
John Farrow
Goring and District Twinning Association
Dear Alan
Many thanks for the email, I agree entirely with your thoughts, we need to be cautious, but bureaucracy would seem to be taking over with yet another stealth tax around the corner.
I will take this up with my MP who incidentally is a good friend of mine,
Let’s keep each other in the loop.
Regards
John Farrow
Goring and District Twinning Association
Wakefield - Herne Twinning Association:-
Thanks for your note, however, be careful not to react to the gutter media just having a go at the politicans again. Because of my position I have had a CRB check in place for years ( I have two jobs and two Checks at the moment), but the new proposals are not for every person who comes into contact with kids - as I understand it, only the ones used by formally organised groups and doing work as part of it - not just the mums and dads helping with transport etc. If it were for even those who take their son/daughter to footy etc then it would be impossible to operate and that is not the idea. We were all put under pressure after Soham and probably correctly so, but the media made it even worse than it was with their delight in making things up - as they always do - and scaring everyone with non-existant bogey-men. When the proposals are firmed up and need to be challenged then I would be with you, but until then....
Alan Pearman
Thanks for your note, however, be careful not to react to the gutter media just having a go at the politicans again. Because of my position I have had a CRB check in place for years ( I have two jobs and two Checks at the moment), but the new proposals are not for every person who comes into contact with kids - as I understand it, only the ones used by formally organised groups and doing work as part of it - not just the mums and dads helping with transport etc. If it were for even those who take their son/daughter to footy etc then it would be impossible to operate and that is not the idea. We were all put under pressure after Soham and probably correctly so, but the media made it even worse than it was with their delight in making things up - as they always do - and scaring everyone with non-existant bogey-men. When the proposals are firmed up and need to be challenged then I would be with you, but until then....
Alan Pearman
Hartford - Mornant Twinning Association:-
Dear Alan
Thank you for the e-mail. We as individuals will act on it as you suggest. I wonder if an extremely carefully worded petition on the Downing Street website would be a helpful focal point for objection - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/
I have to say that we have been incredulous about this proposal since hearing about it in a "Today" interview with the minister at the end of last week and think it is going to do enormous damage to volunteering in the community and could lead to organisations which are already having problem getting helpers shutting down. I think the whole thing is getting completely out of proportion.
It was made clear in the interview that regular meant more than once a month and it was also said that anyone helping out a voluntary organisation would not be charged the fee. I wonder how long that would continue as I can see this costing a fortune to run if it isn't going to be a fiasco like the introduction of the vetting for teachers - many weren't done by the start of the term when it became mandatory - and school governors.
The use of the Soham case by the minister as a major justification is ridiculous. That was clearly a failure of two statutory bodies to do their duty and transfer information between themselves. The convicted killer, Ian Huntley, was the childrens' school caretaker not a volunteer at a club they belonged to.
This is going to worsen the current situation where adults, especially men, are extremely wary about offering help to an isolated child in distress.
The minister's statement that it is going to be a once in a lifetime time requirement is clearly stupid. If I was a paedophile I would be extremely careful about showing any indication and volunteer for some youth organisation, get the check, which would be OK, and then do what I had planned later.
If you haven't heard the interview, it might be worth listening to. At the moment the full interview is available on www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today at http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/today/#playepisode8 but may well disappear shortly. I have a recording if it disappears.
You were obviously very upset when you sent the e-mail as there were several typos. I hope you don't mind but before passing it on to our committee we corrected them and I attach the corrected text in case you want to send it out to more people.
Best wishes
Jack Loader
Hartford-Mornant Twinning Committee
Dear Alan
Thank you for the e-mail. We as individuals will act on it as you suggest. I wonder if an extremely carefully worded petition on the Downing Street website would be a helpful focal point for objection - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/
I have to say that we have been incredulous about this proposal since hearing about it in a "Today" interview with the minister at the end of last week and think it is going to do enormous damage to volunteering in the community and could lead to organisations which are already having problem getting helpers shutting down. I think the whole thing is getting completely out of proportion.
It was made clear in the interview that regular meant more than once a month and it was also said that anyone helping out a voluntary organisation would not be charged the fee. I wonder how long that would continue as I can see this costing a fortune to run if it isn't going to be a fiasco like the introduction of the vetting for teachers - many weren't done by the start of the term when it became mandatory - and school governors.
The use of the Soham case by the minister as a major justification is ridiculous. That was clearly a failure of two statutory bodies to do their duty and transfer information between themselves. The convicted killer, Ian Huntley, was the childrens' school caretaker not a volunteer at a club they belonged to.
This is going to worsen the current situation where adults, especially men, are extremely wary about offering help to an isolated child in distress.
The minister's statement that it is going to be a once in a lifetime time requirement is clearly stupid. If I was a paedophile I would be extremely careful about showing any indication and volunteer for some youth organisation, get the check, which would be OK, and then do what I had planned later.
If you haven't heard the interview, it might be worth listening to. At the moment the full interview is available on www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today at http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/today/#playepisode8 but may well disappear shortly. I have a recording if it disappears.
You were obviously very upset when you sent the e-mail as there were several typos. I hope you don't mind but before passing it on to our committee we corrected them and I attach the corrected text in case you want to send it out to more people.
Best wishes
Jack Loader
Hartford-Mornant Twinning Committee
Thank you very much for all your responses so far, we will let you know of any more as they arrive.
Together we can make a difference
Alan
Together we can make a difference
Alan
OK Folks,
Our campaign is starting to take shape.
The chair of Goring TA has already received a positive response from his MP, I have asked the MP (John Howell, MP for Henley) for permission to publish his responses and they will be published here if he gives it.
Alan
Our campaign is starting to take shape.
The chair of Goring TA has already received a positive response from his MP, I have asked the MP (John Howell, MP for Henley) for permission to publish his responses and they will be published here if he gives it.
Alan
Just had the following from Kendal-Rinteln Association
Alan, what a refreshing common sense approach! Thank you! It's all utter madness and no one is exactly sure of the correct implementation of it; I have heard so many differing interpretations! I will certainly raise this with my MP.....it has of course been rolled out during Parliamentary recess!!! Janette Dixon Chair Kendal-Rinteln Association.
Keep them coming
Together we can make a difference
alan
Alan, what a refreshing common sense approach! Thank you! It's all utter madness and no one is exactly sure of the correct implementation of it; I have heard so many differing interpretations! I will certainly raise this with my MP.....it has of course been rolled out during Parliamentary recess!!! Janette Dixon Chair Kendal-Rinteln Association.
Keep them coming
Together we can make a difference
alan
From Sheffield International Linking Committee-
Thank you. I will bring this to the attention of our members. Regards MIke Smith
Thank you. I will bring this to the attention of our members. Regards MIke Smith
From Llandrindod Wells Twinning Association
HI Alan
Thank you for the message, whose arrival was very timely as we had a Committee meeting last night, at which it was discussed. We are currently trying to encourage younger groups to exchange visits, so the subject is particularly relevant to us at the moment.
I am no longer Secretary of the Llandrindod Wells Twinning Association, although I am still on the Committee – the new Secretary is Peter Davies, whose email address is -------- could you please change the email contact to his address?
Regards - Jane Malvern
Thank you Jane
Alan
HI Alan
Thank you for the message, whose arrival was very timely as we had a Committee meeting last night, at which it was discussed. We are currently trying to encourage younger groups to exchange visits, so the subject is particularly relevant to us at the moment.
I am no longer Secretary of the Llandrindod Wells Twinning Association, although I am still on the Committee – the new Secretary is Peter Davies, whose email address is -------- could you please change the email contact to his address?
Regards - Jane Malvern
Thank you Jane
Alan
Northamptonshire County Twinning Committee are due to discuss this at their next meeting next week.
Alan
Alan
Sandy Twinning Association are to discuss this at their meeting tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd 7.pm at the Council Offices in Cambridge Road, Sandy
When Jack Loader of the Hartford-Mornant Twinning Committee made his previous response i asked if he would be good enough to word a petition to No 10 Downing Street as I had tried previously but had had no response from Downing Street.
This is his reply received today:-
Dear Alan
Thanks for the reply.
The difficulty of wording is made more of a problem by the fact that a Mr Oliver Hodson has already started a petition "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to abandon the proposed Vetting & Barring scheme, which will result in approximately 11m volunteers and professionals needing to be registered before they can help kids" and one wouldn't want to detract from that, but as we know it is much more than just kids and more than Twinning. Just one example, one of our Twinning Committee member couples have said it means that they will stop taking elderly people to church. Anne's 92-year-old aunt, who has been a very active member of her church, is now in a care home suffering from senile dementia and is taken to church by people she has known for many years at the church (although she probably doesn't know exactly who they are now) so I wouldn't be surprised if they declined to take her any longer. The government has no appreciation of the amount of contribution volunteers make to local community organisations which improve people's lives.
We are now retired and spend about half the year in France. Before that I spent a lot of my non-employed time doing civic and community things - school governor (just retired after nearly 30 years), district councillor, parish councillor, twinning committee chairman, youth club helper, amateur radio club committee member, founder of various community groups - and Anne joined me in many of them as well as doing her own things, such as clerk to the local Quaker meeting. Although I don't do anything which would fall under the legislation at the moment I wouldn't take anything on now which did as I am absolutely not going to apply to be vetted.
It isn't that I have the slightest concern about the outcome of being vetted but I am not prepared to be guilty until proved innocent and I am really fed up with ever-increasing interference by this government in the minutiae of peoples' lives. I won't start on my list of the things which really annoy me, or my theory that some of them are undercover taxation as they force you to get something done on which VAT is payable, or how once legislation for special purpose A is introduced for some apparently good reason it is mis-used for something else.
If a Twinning-only petition was set up I wouldn't put it past the government not to aggregate the total signatures relating to the legislation together and just quote the results from the one relating to the particular area under discussion - school walking buses, sports clubs, church transport etc.
What do you think? Are you getting much reaction?
Best wishes
Jack.
This is his reply received today:-
Dear Alan
Thanks for the reply.
The difficulty of wording is made more of a problem by the fact that a Mr Oliver Hodson has already started a petition "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to abandon the proposed Vetting & Barring scheme, which will result in approximately 11m volunteers and professionals needing to be registered before they can help kids" and one wouldn't want to detract from that, but as we know it is much more than just kids and more than Twinning. Just one example, one of our Twinning Committee member couples have said it means that they will stop taking elderly people to church. Anne's 92-year-old aunt, who has been a very active member of her church, is now in a care home suffering from senile dementia and is taken to church by people she has known for many years at the church (although she probably doesn't know exactly who they are now) so I wouldn't be surprised if they declined to take her any longer. The government has no appreciation of the amount of contribution volunteers make to local community organisations which improve people's lives.
We are now retired and spend about half the year in France. Before that I spent a lot of my non-employed time doing civic and community things - school governor (just retired after nearly 30 years), district councillor, parish councillor, twinning committee chairman, youth club helper, amateur radio club committee member, founder of various community groups - and Anne joined me in many of them as well as doing her own things, such as clerk to the local Quaker meeting. Although I don't do anything which would fall under the legislation at the moment I wouldn't take anything on now which did as I am absolutely not going to apply to be vetted.
It isn't that I have the slightest concern about the outcome of being vetted but I am not prepared to be guilty until proved innocent and I am really fed up with ever-increasing interference by this government in the minutiae of peoples' lives. I won't start on my list of the things which really annoy me, or my theory that some of them are undercover taxation as they force you to get something done on which VAT is payable, or how once legislation for special purpose A is introduced for some apparently good reason it is mis-used for something else.
If a Twinning-only petition was set up I wouldn't put it past the government not to aggregate the total signatures relating to the legislation together and just quote the results from the one relating to the particular area under discussion - school walking buses, sports clubs, church transport etc.
What do you think? Are you getting much reaction?
Best wishes
Jack.
In view of Jacks reply, above, the link to Mr Hodsons petition is here for anyone who would like to sign it, as Jack says, therre are not very names there yet, but if we also took part in this petition it would, although not specifically aimed at Twinning it may help to be yet another angle by which we could attack this ill thought out legislation. no stone should be left unturned or angle ignored.
Together we CAN make a difference
Also, please remember to inform your local press about the risks this proposal briings to our twinning activites, especially in attracting young people, and the benefiits they will lose from it.
I receive news reports from around the country regarding twinning matters and any I receive on this subject will be added to this discussion forum in addition to the normal "latest news" page of the website
Please ask your members to take action now.
thank you for your help
Alan
Together we CAN make a difference
Also, please remember to inform your local press about the risks this proposal briings to our twinning activites, especially in attracting young people, and the benefiits they will lose from it.
I receive news reports from around the country regarding twinning matters and any I receive on this subject will be added to this discussion forum in addition to the normal "latest news" page of the website
Please ask your members to take action now.
thank you for your help
Alan
From Sandy Twinning Association in Bedfordshire
Alan
I have only minuted that we discussed this. We had a very lengthy discussion and we all feel the same as you do.
Geoff agreed to contact Alistair Burt but he is away for a couple of days but will get on top of it when he returns. If I hear any more I'll let you know.
Jacky
Alan
I have only minuted that we discussed this. We had a very lengthy discussion and we all feel the same as you do.
Geoff agreed to contact Alistair Burt but he is away for a couple of days but will get on top of it when he returns. If I hear any more I'll let you know.
Jacky
From Kenilworth Twinning Association:-
To Alan Wicks, The Portal
Your information release was passed to me by Dave Shurrock and I would like to respond.
I do not have any specialist knowledge in this area, nor do I necessarily agree with the increasing restrictions, although I have been CRB checked. However I was astounded at the alarmist flavour of this information release. I thought that The Portal would at least have its facts right before passing on this information to people who would largely take it as gospel.
The ISA is the Independant Safeguarding Authority ( not Agency) and a large volume of information is available on their website www.isa-gov.org.uk
The helpful change for we who are volunteers, is that registration is free, is applied for by individuals and is transferable between associations etc, so we don't need to make multiple applications at £64 a go.
The definition of a child in the ISA website is "a young person under the age of 18, exceptin employment situations whe it is 16"
• Yes. If an organisation based in the UK, such as a school, arranges the visit including the host family, it will be mandatory for the person in the family hosting the pupil to be ISA-registered and the organisation arranging the visit must check that the person is ISA-registered".
To Alan Wicks, The Portal
Your information release was passed to me by Dave Shurrock and I would like to respond.
I do not have any specialist knowledge in this area, nor do I necessarily agree with the increasing restrictions, although I have been CRB checked. However I was astounded at the alarmist flavour of this information release. I thought that The Portal would at least have its facts right before passing on this information to people who would largely take it as gospel.
The ISA is the Independant Safeguarding Authority ( not Agency) and a large volume of information is available on their website www.isa-gov.org.uk
The helpful change for we who are volunteers, is that registration is free, is applied for by individuals and is transferable between associations etc, so we don't need to make multiple applications at £64 a go.
The definition of a child in the ISA website is "a young person under the age of 18, exceptin employment situations whe it is 16"
To the question -
"Will UK families hosting foreign exchange pupils in their homes need to be ISA-registered?
the answer is
• Yes. If an organisation based in the UK, such as a school, arranges the visit including the host family, it will be mandatory for the person in the family hosting the pupil to be ISA-registered and the organisation arranging the visit must check that the person is ISA-registered".
This looks more of a problem for schools & Scout/Guide groups than it does for twinning associations, where we normally expect children to be accompanied by responsable adults.
I hope that this is helpful.
Bi Malcolm Trewick, Chairman Kenilworth Twinning Association
From Tendring Twinning Association:-
Adult supervision of young people
I agree that one check should be necessary and valid for different groups, but the groups should have evidence that clearance has been gained. Regarding school children I know of at least one instance where a young teenage girl visited a French family where she was expected to share in the family watching together a porn film. Such things happen and as you say there are safeguards abroad.
I also know that many teenagers experience unhappiness and anxiety when placed in families where their own language is not spoken well.
To overcome these problems it is possible for a school group to live in a hotel or hostel but visit their host families for short periods, or an outing, and then reunite with their own friends.
I have had much experience with taking children abroad and I know that this can work quite well. Our own Twinning Association (Tendring Twinning) has facilitated school groups who have gone on this basis, as well as being hosted entirely in families.
As you say, this law proposal has not been thought through sufficiently and will kill much healthy activity and exchange, but at the same time supervision of young people should be tightened up. People are still slipping through the net, who should not have contact with youngsters. Overall opposition to this law is a mistake.
Revd Colin Knight
Retired headteacher, minister and school governor
Thank you Colin for your imput
Alan
Adult supervision of young people
I agree that one check should be necessary and valid for different groups, but the groups should have evidence that clearance has been gained. Regarding school children I know of at least one instance where a young teenage girl visited a French family where she was expected to share in the family watching together a porn film. Such things happen and as you say there are safeguards abroad.
I also know that many teenagers experience unhappiness and anxiety when placed in families where their own language is not spoken well.
To overcome these problems it is possible for a school group to live in a hotel or hostel but visit their host families for short periods, or an outing, and then reunite with their own friends.
I have had much experience with taking children abroad and I know that this can work quite well. Our own Twinning Association (Tendring Twinning) has facilitated school groups who have gone on this basis, as well as being hosted entirely in families.
As you say, this law proposal has not been thought through sufficiently and will kill much healthy activity and exchange, but at the same time supervision of young people should be tightened up. People are still slipping through the net, who should not have contact with youngsters. Overall opposition to this law is a mistake.
Revd Colin Knight
Retired headteacher, minister and school governor
Thank you Colin for your imput
Alan
2 weeks ago the Daily Mail published an article on this subject, for those that did not read it the link is here
Alan
Alan
A Geoff White,member of the Sandy Twinning Association and Mayor of Sandy has written to Alistair Burt, our local Member of Parliament and received the following reply:-
Please click on this link to see the letter here
Please click on this link to see the letter here
Following on from the previous post I am pleased to inform you that Alistair Burt MP will be speaking in the commons tonight in a debate on antisocial behaviour and will be using our letter to illustrate his remarks
Alan
Alan
Following on from questions asked in Parliament re the Independent Safeguarding Authority and CRB checks the Government stated that they would review the situation and subsequent to that a group of School Organisations wrote in stating that ?"the rules were too bureaucratic and would not guarantee safety".
The day after that the Government has decided to "water down" the legislation, which, as far as we can see will cover the needs of Twinning Groups.
Read the following report from the BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8410335.stm
A leading writier Philip Pullman told the BBC the original plans had been "absurd" and he welcomed the changes. However, he said such regulation remained "fundamentally unhealthy".
It is good that the Goverment has finally decided to listen to the concerns of the public and I hope that our compaign may, in some small way, have helped to bring about this review.
However, this sort of legislation can be quite invidious and we need to watch closely that it is not extended through the back door as so many of our current laws are.
If any of your groups find they still being restricted by over zealous officials please let us know.
Thank you all for your support up to this point and we shall be keeping an eye on the situation.
Alan
The day after that the Government has decided to "water down" the legislation, which, as far as we can see will cover the needs of Twinning Groups.
Read the following report from the BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8410335.stm
A leading writier Philip Pullman told the BBC the original plans had been "absurd" and he welcomed the changes. However, he said such regulation remained "fundamentally unhealthy".
It is good that the Goverment has finally decided to listen to the concerns of the public and I hope that our compaign may, in some small way, have helped to bring about this review.
However, this sort of legislation can be quite invidious and we need to watch closely that it is not extended through the back door as so many of our current laws are.
If any of your groups find they still being restricted by over zealous officials please let us know.
Thank you all for your support up to this point and we shall be keeping an eye on the situation.
Alan
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