Is it me or . . . .

[zimboykie]

do they take things a little too far in the "civillised" countries re the child protection act? The vrou & l took our little 6-month old swimming for the first time at a local sports centre & because my wife didn't want to swim she was excluded from being in the swimming area & had to observe his first splashes from behind a glass window. When we asked why this was so we were told of the fear of kiddy-fiddlers entering the pool area with concealed cameras, etc, taking photos of the lighties in their costumes, blah blah, unscrupulous internet websites, blah blah, ad nauseum. She's his bloody mother for crying in a bucket not some seedy geezer in an overcoat with turned-up collar, hat & dark glasses!!!!!!! Can you imagine if they applied the same rules to Les Brown, Macdonald, Mount Pleasant, etc, swimmimg pools where perhaps the parent didn't want to swim and to be told that they would have to wait outside in the car park (or something similar) probably for some good few hours if not the whole day whilst their child swims? It'll work well for sitiuations where there's a sign that says "Children under the age of 3/5 must be supervised by an adult". I don't know but l think sometimes that life in the third world where we're from is a lot more real, true &/or pragmatic than the first world where a lot of us are now?

[licorice]

Total agree ZB, crazy world this. And they do take it way too far, virtually saying everyone is a kiddy fiddler.

How is the little man getting on? did he enjoy his first pool outing?

[Belladonna]

I couldn't agree more. I work in secondary schools and before we can set foot on school property the Brigade has to prove that we have Enhanced CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) checks. These have to be done annually at a helluva cost to the Brigade and we have to carry them with us at all times. And yet, once we get to the schools, we are not allowed to move around without a staff member!!!! We can't even go to the toilet without an escort!!!!

To top it off, the presentation is pretty hardhitting and upsetting and quite a few students leave the hall crying. Three of the team, myself, a police officer and a paramedic, are trained to deal with this, but again we are not permitted to speak to the students without a member of staff present, who frequently has no idea how to deal with the problem and only makes matters worse.

The world has gone mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zimajays]

Wait until you have to take your kid for stiches - they practically accuse you of child abuse. It didnt help my case that my boy had stiches in the same place with in weeks of each other.

Well he will climb on the furniture and dive off...

[Belladonna]

Okay, just listened to my colleague having a conversation with a member of the public and am gobsmacked (bearing in mind that I don't often spend time at headquarters). Apparently we have a project called the Firesetter Intervention Scheme. Referrals to the scheme come from teachers, parents and members of the public. Thousands of pounds have been spent to develop this scheme, covering the cost of leaflets, admin support and training of 'Intervention Specialists'.

A 10 year old boy has now been referred by a teacher at school because he set fire to a pile of sticks in the school playground!! A file will now be created on our systems, the report will be shared with the Police and County Council Social workers. The lads parents will be contacted for a chat and then a visit by a specially trained Firefighter will be arranged. Generally, at least two visits are required to teach the boy about the dangers of fire and the risks to himself, other people and property.

Am I the only one who at that age loved nothing better than getting hold of some matches or a burning stick from the braai? I remember, when it was dark, making patterns in the air by waving around a glowing stick!! And after I burnt myself about a hundred times, I developed a healthy respect for fire.

Methinks this is just another case of over-reaction ...

[zimajays]

me thinks you is right.

[Mafuta beeftex]

I am in full agreement with the above comments. Unfortunately, we cannot compare the behaviour of society today, with particular reference to the UK, with our respective upbringing. Plus the advent of mobile camera phones and indeed, miniature cameras, will make policing and restricting the pervs. more difficult. As a consequence, the majority genuine people stand tarred with the same brush as the bad people.

[Tricky Nicky]

MB - you hit the nail on the head although sometimes I do fear that the 'elf and safety brigade have just gone too far with some things!

[petals]

What is wrong with the parents/pals here? We had a couple of boys who we all called 'The Arsonists'...aged about 6 and 8, who, for a few years, we all just kept wary eyes on whenever we were all out on our fishing competitions.....so they never quite managed to burn us out of camp(!!!!)...their folks got to land a fish or two, and, of course, they eventually grew out of it. Is it just that there IS no family/friend frameworks in this country? By the way the one Arsonist is now a strapping member of the Brit Army!

[Sam Edwards]

What is wrong with the parents/pals here? We had a couple of boys who we all called 'The Arsonists'...aged about 6 and 8, who, for a few years, we all just kept wary eyes on whenever we were all out on our fishing competitions.....so they never quite managed to burn us out of camp(!!!!)...their folks got to land a fish or two, and, of course, they eventually grew out of it. Is it just that there IS no family/friend frameworks in this country? By the way the one Arsonist is now a strapping member of the Brit Army!
Yip, and I always loved a fire and after many many burns, the fire earned my respect. I have a few scars from playing with fire. Since been in the UK I miss the good old fashion camp fire and I find that any excuse to start a fire (obviously controled and in a braai or safe area) and I am there. I think my mom and dad get a bit worried about me at times... but been round a fire just reminds me of home. Although I love campfires I can not for a moment understand how anyone get pleasure from delibratly starting fires that will case damage to property or people.