CRB checks for parents of kids taking part in foreign exchange programs

[bunn]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6879295.ece

I did two exchange trips when I was of that age, one to France and one to Germany.   The German one was pretty grim, but that was because my father was dying of cancer at the time so I was probably not feeling particularly open to new cultures, and even that one, I have some brilliant memories of.  I am pretty sure that both did more for my language skills and general independence and confidence than any amount of classroom teaching.

Why would anyone want to formalise something so effective and undangerous, particularly when that is likely to crush the whole idea except for the most well-prepared and determined of families?   And surely, the criminal records check people are already overloaded and checks are taking ages...?

I expect the next move will be CRB checks for pregnant women and their partners.  

Comments

[bunn.livejournal.com]

My mother has never had a CRB check, having retired as a teacher many years ago. She is currently trying, informally, to teach some children in her village to read properly (the school and parents having apparently not tried very hard, and been unsuccessful). She met them through church, and has written a little fiction book just for them, which they got rather excited about.

I suspect she is breaking the law. :-(

[kargicq.livejournal.com]

Is she (gasp!) alone with the kids at any point? If so, I believe she is indeed breaking the law. Retired teacher helping the kids at church with their reading, this isn't the sort of thing the government can allow you know! Burn the witch!!