Child Protection Issues

I'm cross about something. Infact I'm very angry. I don't get angry very often, but this is really bugging me.

I've been interested following Facebook's discussions on whether to have the CEOP button on each page of their website. We have it, look down to your right. If you don't know what it is, click it and see. Andy gave enormous thought to child protection issues when he was developing this site, even though we believe it is unlikely anything untoward will happen, but you can't be too careful.

At the moment, Facebook has rejected the idea. It seems a small, sensible step to me. All of us involved with Flutewise take child protection matters very, very seriously. I suppose at the front of our minds all we want is all of the young people who get involved with us to be very happy. If someone is happy there are not uusually any problems anywhere. A great deal of my time is spent on our 'Child Protection Policy', which is frequently revised and discussed with the Trustees. We've got new challenges coming up with the new vetting and barring scheme, I've got to plough through their 76 page document with a fine tooth comb very soon. Although it's a bit of a pain, I know it will be time well spent.

So why am I angry? I'm angry at stupid adults who make stupid decisions and think they are protecting children. I don't know how any adult can justify not allowing children and young people have information about Flutewise! Can you believe that has happened? I can't, but it has.

I've got an event planned thanks to a member's mum. Great stuff. It's in a church on a Sunday afternoon. I happily organised a booking form (of course carefully drafted so we have all the information we need about anyone incase there is any problem) and sent it out to all the schools in the area and via local flute teachers. One of these wonderful teachers got back to me to tell me they were quite upset that they had been forbidden to give out forms or any even any information about Flutewise to their pupils due to CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES! Can you believe that?! I can only think that the adults in that school are insecure and lazy - surely a quick read of the form or visit to the website would confirm we are a registered charity and that in itself should be enough to give confidence. If we were up to no good I think the Charity Commissioners would soon be on our case. I just can't understand how an event in a church on a Sunday afternoon that needs pre booking and permission from a parent/guardain to attend is a problem for a school.

I did have a call from the Head of Music Service in the area who wanted to know how often I'd come across this problem before. Well, I haven't been aware of it, but maybe I am wasting my time sending out information to schools and teachers if they think they are 'protecting' children. I don't know what I can do.

Having written this, it has made me realise how angry I am about it. I think all adults should have the responsibility to share good things with children and young people -whether it is a subject that fascinates the adult or the adult finds it boring. Growing up we never know what might really inspire us, it could be engineering, pyrotechnics, flute playing or something else. Adults should ensure a young person they are involved with, as a parent, carer or educator is exposed to as many good, new experiences as possible so they can find their passion. Being involved in the things in life that we are passionate about can change all aspects of our lives for the better. I know of one child whose life was literally saved because of playing the flute. I'm sure there are many more. That's my inspiration.

If you read this, let us all know what you think. Rant over, for now.