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

[chris-maslen.livejournal.com]

Of course the government would like EVERYONE to have to have a CRB check, it's a £70.00 tax on being an adult, this is also why they require a new one for each relevant job & will require you to have a new one done once every 3 years.

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

Can we claim them on expenses?