AIBU to not allow my DS (Age 7) to litter pick in a park that is well known for drug use in the area?

[Becky36]

Just had an email via Parentmail saying that my son's class (Yr3) is going to be litter picking in our local park. The Press will be there to take photos of the kids picking up the litter.

I have lived in the village for most of my life and this particular park is very well known for drug use. My friend (who is a childminder) doesn't take her kids there anymore because of this reason, needles etc.

Was I unreasonable to fax the school (they are in the habit of saying that they have not received permission slips back) to say that I don't want my DS to do this? If it was litter picking within the school grounds then fine, I would have no problem with that at all.

Completely agree with you and you should ask to see a copy of their risk assessment.

And no, I'm not normally an 'elf 'n' safety' freak but this sounds like something they haven't thought of and you're absolutely right to raise it.

Can you also speak to your local police to ask what their advice would be?

Totally with you on that - bet more parents have something to say as well.

Normally I am really laid back about stuff but this just bothered me for some reason. Just wanted to see if I was being a bit PFB!

No, not PFB at all. This is what health and safety SHOULD be about - not stopping kids playing conkers in the playground.

This sounds extremely badly thought through and I actually think you should "Reply All" via Parentmail (if you can?) to alert other parents.

Litter picking is generally considered really risky now, so I would imagine they would be wearing gloves and using litter pickers rather than their hands. If it has been risk assessed properly then YABU, if it hasn't then YANBU.

Ask to see risk assessment then make a decision.

Sorry I think YABU. This will have been risk assessed. i bahve done this kind of activity and the council needle team have come in beforehand to search for and remove any needles.

And kids used litter pickers, not hands

Rhinestone - Thanks, I may just do that. I will see if there is a function where I can do it.

I am all for kids learning responsibility, having independence, helping others etc but this just seemed a bit bonkers and the opposite of how the school normally behave wrt Health & Safety. Like I said if they were being made to pick up litter in the school grounds then that would be something I could go for.

lesley33 - the 'council needle team'?! These are not highly trained and motivated bio-hazard professionals.

Personally I would not be trusting that the council needle team had done a good enough job and picked up every needle. And it's not just needles, what about used condoms, soiled tissues etc?

Am all for kids learning responsibility and serving their community but expecting 7-8 year olds to do this is stupid.

Lesley33, it probably has been risk assessed but I just feel a bit uneasy about it for some reason. Can't explain why but not felt like this about anything else before. Possibly being unreasonable but I though I would canvass opinion here as I don't know any other mums with a child of my age.

Oh bugger - my son's age, not my age!!

The council needle team? Surely if they've gone over the park with a fine toothcomb removing all the needles they could just pick up the litter too. Or am I missing something here? I'm all in favour of community activities for children, but would be unhappy with this.

My ex husband had got the email too and wondered if seven years of age was a bit young for community service.

I would ask to see the risk assessment first tbh. Dd's class did something like this last year. There is a nationwide scheme running and there is some group that are supplying the correct equipment for schools to do this in their area. To be fair I cannot remember the reason but I helped out on that day and actually it wad a great day and the children really enjoyed it.
There were strict rules repeated continuously in case they came across anything dangerous or hazardous.

I have a problem with this because that's what we pay our council tax for!

Also, apart from needles, they're likely to find used condoms and rusty beer cans in my local park

I can imagine the council will have sent their own litter pickers to swoop for nasties its not as if the children are doing it with bare hands , Its an eco doodah probably the school is running its a photo op they wont be picking up dog poop and condoms and i think you are going to look a bit daft if he doesnt go , stop being precious and cut out your sons picture when he is in the paper ,

I have a problem with this because that's what we pay our council tax for!

That's a very good point. Smacks of cost-cutting disguised as community service!

Can you maybe suggest some other useful services that the school could do, just to underline that you're not against children doing worthwhile community-service things per se? E.g. -

• visiting old people's homes and giving them some cakes they've made at school
• raising money for a local charity
• drawing pictures of the animals in a local rescue in order to publicise it in the paper etc

If this was a park where there was unlikely to be any needles etc then it would be fine. I am just a bit surprised they have picked this particular park to do it in. It is notorious for drug taking and most people don't use it anymore, even for dog walking.

I understand that they will have a team of people to risk assess the area before the kids go in but if there is even a tiny chance of a needle being missed, then I can guarantee that my son will find it! He is just that sort of child. I mean he fell over three times at school yesterday and had three letters in his bag to tell me about it. He is clumsy to the power of 10.

oh dear you will be lucky if the kids pick up half a bag of litter amongst the whole class nobody is sending children out to do the councils job this is about taking care of the area the place the children live it , and to think the 7yr old will be doing some sort of days work is just silly , IMO of course

That's the thing

We spend years telling them not to keep picking things up off the ground!

My friend's 4yr old picked a used condom up in my local park and said "Look Mummy, this balloon has cream in it"

mrsjay - I have no problem with them doing stuff in the community at all. If it was a different park, then there wouldn't be an issue. The letter said the children will be doing this from 1.30pm until 3.00pm so no it won't be a days work either. My issue with this is that even if they get a load of people down there beforehand to clear the site of sharps, glass, dog shit, tampons etc, there is a likely chance of some stuff being missed.

I have no problem whatsoever with kids having to learn some responsibility or helping out the local community but, with this particular issue, I felt uneasy. I am more than prepared to accept that I might be unreasonable on this but I can't help how I feel about it.

I do think if you feel like this then tbh i would raise issue with the school if the park is really bad which sadly alot of playparks are these days then get in touch with the school and ask for reassurance ,