tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post5966853833765029928..comments2023-06-10T14:26:15.957+01:00Comments on Staffordshire: Cornwall County Council, Tackling Ultra Vires PracticesMairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-10261722303328497602010-09-16T11:44:17.546+01:002010-09-16T11:44:17.546+01:00Hi Holistic, I did not realise they had given you ...Hi Holistic, I did not realise they had given you such a bad time, apart from the astonishing arrogance of even asking, from an LA that has failed three of my children in ways that are only just revealing themselves and constitute a very real threat to mental health, I have been able to keep them in their place.<br /><br />However he years and years of stress created for everyone in my family by the inadequacy of the school system and the lies they knowingly tell in order to avoid giving you a legitimate reason to exercise your rights and meet your responsibility to your child will never be forgotten.<br /><br />I am willing to help anyone, via skype or google docs to challenge their LA in an effective way.<br /><br />I know how difficult it is as we have just had our eyes opened to how we are still meekly avoiding upsetting authority in ways we did not realise to our own disadvantage.<br /><br />I should imagine their is a bucket load of Marxian type false conciousness in the home ed community leading to the feeling that submissiveness is actually reasonable compromised.<br /><br />It can take some time to realise the extent to which we have been duped.<br /><br />I would say carry on regardless : )<br /><br />The job is not there but home ed is under this heading, totally obscure to parents who do not want LA support http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2232<br /><br />However on first glance both the page and the document seem to respect the law so you may be able to use their own literature against them.<br /><br />Good luck and just shout if you want any virtual support.<br /><br />I wonder if job descriptions of actual current staff are available?<br /><br />Would be by FOI and might uncover the wolf in sheep's clothing.Mairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-88121314097124849392010-09-15T12:28:04.529+01:002010-09-15T12:28:04.529+01:00OK... As you know Marie this IS my LA & I do h...OK... As you know Marie this IS my LA & I do have an ongoing battle with them regarding the way they've approached me in the past... After many letters hassling me to provide info at the beginning & several doorstepping attempts I was told that my Phil Ed would be accepted... but that they would be in touch in 12 monts... 18 months later & I htough maybe they'd thought better of it but lo & behold as soon as my guard was down, the dreaded form came thru the post aain asking for the same bloody info they'd already had & when they received no reply they tried the same old 'we have made you an appointment' chestnut. So I waited until they were no doubt on their way to the 'appointment' and then sent them an email saying they should refer back to my original letter... I'm still waiting for the fall-out from that one...<br />Whilst tackling ultra vires practice by the LA is definitely the main issue... I think an aside has to be the willingness of other HE familes to allow them to continue doing so... Whenever I speak to local HEers they seem both ignorant of their own right to refuse LA inspection and unwilling to enforce this right preferring to just go along with what the LA officer says... now I am all fo r choice as you know... but I am also frustrated that the LA is able to enforce their own will ovcer the rote of Law due to apathy from the group they're targetting... I have a feeling that the very changes we worked so hard to resist (al la Badman & the Bill) will be brough in via the back door on the basis of 'Most HE familes have chosen to comply'... I of course will not be the head of one of those familes but I find the unwillingness of others to battle this out very frustrating.HolisticHumanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18371094113362635538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-24354803346534980072010-08-26T13:46:32.759+01:002010-08-26T13:46:32.759+01:00squiggle says -Wouldn't it be considered malad...squiggle says -Wouldn't it be considered maladministration and have to deal with it?<br /><br /><br />No the ombudman would not consider it maladminstration and besides it has to be a seroius injustice before the Ombudman would take action and here lies the problem you may think it is serous but i can assure you the ombudman would not! the Ombudman can say he agrees this is wrong but it is not serious enough for me to think it is a serious injustice! so no action can be taken im very sorry he writes back to you! i copy this to the council for you!<br /><br />if you write a number of letters of complaint to a council and get NO reply the Ombudmans will says this is wrong but it is not a serious injustice so i wont take any action with the council! and dont forget that 2 of the most senior Ombudmans they are 3 for all of UK worked as senior council staff before becoming Ombudmans!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-66684223619683724602010-08-25T14:38:47.083+01:002010-08-25T14:38:47.083+01:00Anonymous said;
Also remember that the ombudman w...Anonymous said;<br /><br />Also remember that the ombudman would not think that this was serious enough for him to look into it!<br /><br />Wouldn't it be considered maladministration and have to deal with it?<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maladministration<br /><br />.... and what about it being an illegal employment contract, so something their legal department would have to investigate?<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JaneSquigglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13375426414998369671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-79950526012333536272010-08-24T12:17:55.531+01:002010-08-24T12:17:55.531+01:00I am right Maire! when has an LA Staff been held ...I am right Maire! when has an LA Staff been held to account over his/her actions? you should read that daily mail interview with middle ranking council officer! <br /><br />LA staff know that the public can not do anything to them i have NEVER heard of an LA staff member being sacked for his treatment of a child or the parent.<br />in the private sector you are held to account to the customer but not in the public section governments come a nd go but LA staff are safe in their jobs for all time!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-80877012772572733832010-08-23T17:25:51.539+01:002010-08-23T17:25:51.539+01:00Even if you are right Anonymous and I can tell you...Even if you are right Anonymous and I can tell you have had a very frustrating time of it with them I think I will KBO.<br /><br />Had to look this up mum6kids, thank you, love it!<br /><br />Tech so do I but if they don't I can blog about that : )Mairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-29413397732314201202010-08-23T17:18:02.745+01:002010-08-23T17:18:02.745+01:00I hope Cornish HEers do take up the baton on this....I hope Cornish HEers do take up the baton on this.<br />And as my daughter said to me the other day "KBO"<br />I should never had let her learn about Churchill...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-38032383568710147632010-08-23T08:27:32.940+01:002010-08-23T08:27:32.940+01:00have you ever heard of an LA staff member being he...have you ever heard of an LA staff member being held to account over anything? in an interview with the daily mail this year a middle ranking council worker said it was very very rare for any staff members to be held to account for almost anything!he give a rare insight in how staff worked not caring about the public! phones calls left unaswered family's being filed as trouble makers! complaints never really answered lack of any speed over problems many staff earning far to much money top level mangers not caring! just waiting for their large pensions! many of these staff know it would cost far to much to get rid of them so their can do as little work as their like!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-42971330680417581122010-08-22T17:51:20.757+01:002010-08-22T17:51:20.757+01:00I hope they have the decency to respond to you Mai...I hope they have the decency to respond to you Maire. Got to love your determination not to let this kind of crap go without comment :)Techhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168914848999240658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-33546949639685552852010-08-22T15:05:10.045+01:002010-08-22T15:05:10.045+01:00Sorry itchy mouse finger. I'll try again
I th...Sorry itchy mouse finger. I'll try again<br /><br />I thought this comment was pertinent "If the inspectors do not recognise variations from the school model, they are in need of education themselves. If they cannot embrace the diversity of education that the law allows, perhaps they are in the wrong job." <br /><br />It's from a letter from my friend Rebecca http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2376291 was quite interesting (it's 3 years old) and is in response to this rather horrid article http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2366371Alison Sauernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-83813005731823285932010-08-22T15:02:56.599+01:002010-08-22T15:02:56.599+01:00I thought this comment "If the inspectors do ...I thought this comment "If the inspectors do not recognise variations from the school model, they are in need of education themselves. If they cannot embrace the diversity of education that the law allows, perhaps they are in the wrong job." from a letter from my friend Rebecca http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2376291 was quite interesting (it's 3 years old). It's in response to this rather horrid article http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2366371Alison Sauernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-29007714251757113502010-08-22T12:22:18.705+01:002010-08-22T12:22:18.705+01:00Maire says-But what if they got lots and lots of s...Maire says-But what if they got lots and lots of similar emails?<br /><br />it makes no difference to them! most emails are often classed as repeated complaint or the new word that is used by LA/Councils is vexation! <br />LA staff are not held to account over their actions to do with home education. Also if you could see what their email to each other about home education it would open you eyes!<br />County councilors have no idea about home education and just refer back to LA staff about what to do over home education!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-8411713477079704992010-08-21T23:43:57.253+01:002010-08-21T23:43:57.253+01:00Yes the "teaching" skills are somewhat i...Yes the "teaching" skills are somewhat incongruous with the role. I'd prefer to see experience of non National Curriculum based eduction and experience of non-school based settings. Or how about knowledge of Elective Home Education and it's practice?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-81536177935657412492010-08-21T21:42:24.695+01:002010-08-21T21:42:24.695+01:00And the requirements for the job couldn't expr...And the requirements for the job couldn't express their total inability grasp what home ed is more graphically! it would make a good Two Ronnies sketch!<br /><br /> Functional competencies<br /><br />Experience in mainstream/special school.<br /><br />Proven record of excellent class teaching and behaviour<br />management<br /><br />Proven ability to teach a range of subjects at different key<br />stages and to keep up to date with current initiatives in<br />education<br /><br />Proven ability to use ICT both personally and in the<br />classroom. An enthusiasm for the development of ICT<br /><br />Experience of working with young people in an education<br />setting.<br /><br />Good report writing skills<br /><br />To safeguard and promote the welfare of children under<br />the Education Act 2002<br /><br />Experience of multi agency working and undertake home<br />visits and ability to work on own initiative<br /><br />Qualifications, training or other requirements<br /><br />Qualified Teacher<br />Regular access to a car and current driving licence<br /><br />Working knowledge of the law relating to home education<br />under the Education Act 1996<br /><br />Working knowledge of National Literacy and numeric<br />strategy<br /><br />Child Protection Training and CAF and TAC trainingMairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-31624096267152025702010-08-21T21:37:01.769+01:002010-08-21T21:37:01.769+01:00Hm,they might, I am waiting for a reply as it is a...Hm,they might, I am waiting for a reply as it is a great leap from where they are now to anything legitimate.<br /><br />Objectives like this are extremely worrying!<br /><br />"Key objectives for the next 12 months<br /><br />All referrals are recorded on EMS and time lines for action are adhered to.<br />Safeguarding forms obtained from relevant school and where there is a concern noted<br />a referral is made to social care for an initial assessment.<br />School records and Child Protection records are obtained and filed with the EHE file.<br />All EHE files are made up according to policy and practice.<br />All co-ordinators receive Child Protection Training and CAF and TAC training."<br /><br />As Elaine points out they are suggesting getting hold of records that once the family have finished with their serviced would seem to belong to the family particularly the child not the authority.<br /><br />However it would be good if it could become a constructive dialogue.<br /><br />I mostly hope that home edders from Cornwall will pick it up.Mairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-76445010637332833972010-08-21T21:17:50.765+01:002010-08-21T21:17:50.765+01:00Perhaps someone could suggest an appropriate wordi...Perhaps someone could suggest an appropriate wording to Cornwall? This could then become a constructive dialogue....?<br /><br />They might need some help after all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-86968321101694903202010-08-21T12:15:48.261+01:002010-08-21T12:15:48.261+01:00Thank you Diane, I am harnessing a certain form of...Thank you Diane, I am harnessing a certain form of emotion and using it positively : )Mairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-89752734481816799832010-08-21T12:15:04.572+01:002010-08-21T12:15:04.572+01:00But what if they got lots and lots of similar emai...But what if they got lots and lots of similar emails?Mairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516412983740136098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-70288206400558724272010-08-21T12:05:56.363+01:002010-08-21T12:05:56.363+01:00you may not get an answer from the council or if y...you may not get an answer from the council or if you do get one it will be of no use.Also remember that the ombudman would not think that this was serious enough for him to look into it!<br /><br />The truth is that officers of any LA are never brought to account for writing the wrong facts about home education indeed most county councilors have NO idea what home education is or that it goes on in their ward! i think i have told you before that the first thing a councilor does over home education is to ask the LA for advice! and the complaint department of any LA always asks their LA what it should write back to you over home education! your writing to people who have blinkers on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3697346330292757999.post-43154082348316782812010-08-21T10:59:32.475+01:002010-08-21T10:59:32.475+01:00Good for you. By, you're quick off the mark.
...Good for you. By, you're quick off the mark.<br /><br />Well done.<br /><br />It never ends, does it?<br /><br />Danae<br />http://www.threedegreesoffreedom.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com