|
CHILDREN BILL
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
|
Ten things you need to know about the new Children Bill:
1. THE PERSONAL DETAILS OF YOUR CHILD will be put on to a database. This is not just about children at risk of abuse.
2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION about YOUR CHILD will be shared amongst a lot of people and organisations. The Bill will force them to do this and even your GP will have to comply.
3. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION about YOU will also be shared on the database.
4. The “information” does not have to be “facts”. People must report their “concerns” about your child and you. The Government says that things like poor SATs results or low birth weight should be a “concern”. THERE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A “CONCERN”.
5. YOU WILL NOT KNOW IF INFORMATION IS SHARED. YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHAT INFORMATION IS SHARED. YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO CORRECT MISTAKES.
6. YOU WON’T KNOW WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE DATABASE AND HOW THEY MIGHT USE THE INFORMATION. All databases can be hacked and it’s easy for information to end up in the wrong hands – would you put your child’s details on the Internet? The Government wants to.
7. A lot of people will share and access the information: schools, doctors and nurses, hospitals, social workers, housing benefit, police, Connexions - and plenty more besides that.
8. The database will be accessible - and hackable - on a national level.
9. The Government has a dreadful record on maintaining the security and accuracy of large databases. This database will be DANGEROUS to YOUR CHILD and to the children this Bill is meant to protect – those who are abused or at risk of harm.
10. Did you know we are short of thousands of social workers? Protecting children does not need a database. The money would be better spent on social workers to carry out the jobs they are trained to do.
DO YOU WANT STRANGERS TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CHILD?
TAKE ACTION NOW - WRITE TO YOUR MP!
More information and sample letter at: www.arch-ed.org
Action on Rights for Children