Parents' Forum

It’s been interesting watching the reaction to some classic ‘child protection gone mad’ stories over the past few weeks – specifically, the idea that parents should be vetted before taking kids to Scouts; the sacking of the dinner lady who told a kid’s parents about a bullying incident; and this latest thing about Ofsted telling two female friends (who were job-sharing) that they’d have to register as childminders. These are quite different stories but there seems to be an understanding that they all fit together – as this report from the ST shows. I think they are all part of the same trend, to regulate more closely individuals’ spontaneous behaviour and the informal arrangements they make – that’s why I object to them.  But is that why there is a more general reaction, or are people kicking against something else?