ISA (the new CRB)

swanseamale47

swanseamale47

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wayne clarke
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I was at a council function yesterday, while chatting to various people I bumped into the councils officer resposible for their ISA checks.
We chatted about the ideas behind it and so on, during the conversation I mentioned a teacher friends concerns about rumour and false allergations (apperantly a lot of teachers get them made) that are to be included in the ISA The council bloke replied he knew and that the police and social service were worried about the extra workload, when I queried that he said that apparently the ISA would automaticly inform police and social service of any one who flagged up as "suspicious" (anyone who shows anything) for the police and social services to investigate. He claimed thats as much as 40% of teachers in some areas, who would probably be suspended untill checks could be made.
This is going to cause chaos if true.
 
It would be nice to think common sense would prevail. But then we are talking about politicians here so it's unlikely eh?
 
Yup, this is the new check that even parents who want to ferry kids about (other parents kids) have to undertake.

Also takes allegations and hearsay into account.
 
It would be a joke if it wasnt so unfunny! What a pointless waste of time and money and I bet that in a few years loads of groups like scouts will close down because of this.
 
I think on one hand its wrong for the allegations to effect someone if they are clearly false, but I guess they want to perhaps spot if someone has several allegations made over a period of time in different areas, etc?

I dunno how I feel about it tbh. I would hate to be on such a list, it must be HELL for those who have done nothing wrong. It's probably a step too far, but I can see why its happening.

Gary.
 
Chaz Photos said:
As this is a photography forum and not a teachers one No I dont
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The whole point is this doesn't just affect teachers, it applies to a large range of activites including some photographer. Anyone who needs a CRB/ISA is going to get the same hassle, if you do school photos, or childrens sports theres a fair chance you'll need one sooner or later.
 
I am glad I don't need to work with or mix with kids.
It's all getting messy and silly.
 
I can speak from first hand experience having somehow appeared on a list that lead to investigations into my activities. It came to nothing in the end but it doesn't feel very pleasant even when you know you've done nothing wrong. Sitting it out is the only thing you can do in that case - trust that the truth will come out eventually and if you are innocent of any wrong doing it will turn out fine in the end.
 
artona said:
Anyone got any ideas of how they should deal with it?
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I've spent most of the last 30 odd years overseas, and I was, sort of, aware of this, but I still found it very disturbing when I came back a few months ago. A lot of people do seem concerned, but either don't really care, feel it's pointless to protest because there's nothing they can do if the state (all parties colluding) have already decided, or have bought the department of fear and paranoia's propaganda. How did things get to this point? Boil the frog?

Frankly, I don't know what to do. Most people don't want to lead the charge because they're afraid of being targeted, and it's not "really so bad", and I'm not a rebel, or an activist, by nature either. Cop out? Yes, I suppose so. It's a pity, because I'm enjoying being back, but this isn't the country I remember and I think I'm just going to leave again.
 
We are school togs, and guess what? All this crap is only in this Country... The rest of Europe uses common sense. but with idiot insecure parents and the media blowing everything up way over the top... We have to live with it.

Even with CRB and the new ISA checks in place we as togs don't really need them.

Photographers are not likely to be left alone with children over a period of time to gain trust.

All that aside with correct certs in place we will not shoot or be in a room with out a member of staff.

Its the way of this Country I'm afraid not the World.

Funny thing is before doing schools I was in the Photographic dept with TVP Police. All the child and vulnerable adult stuff was wait for it... All members of family or someone who the victims knew. It was a rare occasion that it was a complete stranger.

But hey, I blame our trashey media system.
 
Completely agree this is a total overkill.

I think that all these checks give a false sense of security to parents and rather than relying on good old fashioned gut feel they assume that the person who has all these checks must be 100% OK. All a clean CRB or ISA record means is that the person hasn't been caught or formally accused of a dodgy act.

There are people I know that I am sure would pass the tests but I would never consider them as baby sitters.

Take a look at the dreadful case of the nursery nurse in Plymouth who abused small children, she no doubt had a CRB check and as no one has mentioned any history of accusations would have probably passed the ISA check as well, yet she still did these horrendous things.
 
I can see a need for checks, we'd all complain if any child was hurt. But I'm absolutely convinced that everyone in authority in the UK has lost all semblance of common sense. They're either frightened to death of losing their jobs or of being sued. Neither of which helps the kids of course.

It's a crazy country we're living in.
 
My last nursery shoot, I was extremely aware that I was NOT being left alone with ANY of the children for any period of time. It became apparent when the nursery staff called for someone to swap places so she could pop to the loo. Better that way, then at least nothing can be said.

Gary.
 
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