Is this a conflict of interest?

[timetablechaos]

Looking for some advice or perspective on something that’s been really bothering me, as it’s had a huge emotional impact on my DC.
My child (14) has spent the last 6 years heavily involved in a high-level extracurricular activity (think 12+ hours a week). They’ve worked really hard and been fully committed. At the end of last school year, they had the opportunity to apply for a place to continue with the activity. Historically, all children who have done this activity for several years have been offered continuing places.This year, 6 applied and 5 were awarded places. The only one not accepted was my child. There have been no behaviour issues, no cause for concern or issues raised throughout their time in this organisation - this is not the point of my AIBU but I'm adding for context. This decision came completely out of the blue with no feedback and was really upsetting. Understandably, DC is devastated.

Now this is my AIBU- My child had paid-for private lessons in the main skill of this activity with a teacher who also works at the organisation that awards the places. I'll call him Mr X. He taught DC for 3 years and was always happy with my child's performance. At first, things were fine, but Mr X had a habit of being very unreliable (frequent cancellations, no-shows without warning, etc). After a lot of patience, we ended the lessons earlier this year and found a different teacher.

I’ve now learned that Mr X was involved in the selection process for awarding continuing places this year. I think it's important to also mention that he currently teaches 4 out of the 5 children who were awarded continuing places in the program in separate private paid-for lessons (outside of the activity) as he used to do with my child. I was not aware he was involved in this year's decision and only found out when I asked for feedback on why my child didn’t receive a place. I was told it was a 'group decision by key staff' including Mr X. I can’t help but feel this is a conflict of interest as Mr X had a previous teaching relationship with my child (which he possibly now perceives in a negative light), and he currently teaches the majority of the children who were successful in a private capacity. It is not unreasonable to assume that consciously or unconsciously he might favour his own pupils for these really sought-after places and that he should have recused himself. Teaching this skill is his main income. Am I wrong to think this raises questions about the fairness and independence of the whole process?

I think pursuing more information is a must as it certainly looks iffy from your description. Would you consider drafting an email here (obviously with outing info omitted)?

Also, what would Mr X's perception of you and your child be, do you think? Was there a history of unpleasantness before you severed the relationship or was everything ok?

Is there an appeal process?

No unpleasantness, but it was frustrating when he frequently cancelled lessons as we were on route (45 min trip) or just didn't show up. We were aware of his involvement in the organisation so left it on reasonable terms - 'Thank you for all your work with X. They have decided to try lessons with another tutor next term. Best, wishes X'. Given within the correct notice period.

No, not as such. The organisation does have a complaints policy as all charities seem to do these days.

It most likely is a conflict of interest however, if Mr X had still be doing private lessons for your child and your child had been successful, would you still be asking if it's a conflict of interest?

This sounds highly likely - YANBU.

Given your description (niche but still well known ?) I would also think carefully about the benefits (and mostly lack of) to your child if you did complain and it ended up public (it does not take much these days, even if in local communities only), or if you do you should prepare better than asking on a forum (it’s fine to ask obviously, but it shouldn’t be your only means). I only have experience with dance.

This has been covered a few times up thread.

It's a complete conflict of interest, should have been declared and he should not have been on the selection panel unless it's an activity where it's possible to have an anonymous application.

I would put a written appeal into the higher authority.

Thank you. I think it should always be fine to ask about processes especially if they are opaque and possibly subject to conflicts of interests. I feel I'd be letting my child down if I just said nothing. I will obviously think about phrasing this in the most constructive way possible.

Not neccessarily. The org can examine their policy and the firing and may find it problrmatic. I would persue this, and likely get a lawyer.

I think it's icky but also slightly inevitable in these sorts of worlds. My daughter is a dancer and has auditioned a few times without success. Sometimes it's her actual teacher in the audition, sometimes it's someone else's teacher. one time she didn't get a place in a programme and it turned out that the majority of students who did are all at the same dance school - they knew what to expect and prepared specifically for it. So while it often is who you know or some other opaque measure, it's sometimes just being in the right circle means that you are preparing and developing in the way that group is most looking for (does that make sense?)

For my daughter however, I wouldn't be able to claim she was disadvantaged in any of these situations - I have no idea what I'm looking at when seeing a bunch of similar girls dancing the same thing. I think my daughter is wonderful and perfect, but she probably isn't. She's much better than some but at a certain level it all looks the same to me - which is why there's always a panel of people and voting and some sort of structure. I have no idea what the structure is and never know what specific thing she did or didn't do well (you never get feedback or anything).

I think since there's no reason to worry about burning bridges you might as well ask some questions even just to get it right in your head. I'm guessing they will either keep telling you that it's all confidential or that any conflict of interest is ameliorated by some mysterious voting system but I can't see any reason not to proceed. I think you need to do this in writing however to keep things really clear.

This is a massive conflict of interest and should never be allowed.

That's because actually reading and comprehending the OP's posts is too much work for some posters.

She has also mentioned where her child is rated in this specialty. It would be like LeBron James not getting drafted into the NBA because he switched schools and the selection committee had members from his old school on it. It would make no sense.

What did the selection process entail? Was there a physical tryout? Just paperwork?

I know you say it's outing, but I wish we knew more, so advice could be more specific.

From what you have said though, I would follow through because something just feels "off" about it.

It must be really upsetting for your child and I get why you are annoyed BUT if Mr X still taught your child and they had been successful would that have been a conflict of interest?

OP I think you said that more than 5 could have been selected. Do you have any stats from previous years about the numbers who applied and who were accepted/rejected?
Can you ask why your DC wasnt offered a place ie not good enough for that level (which could be fought on objective grounds if they actually have acheived more than the other kids) or was it due to a limited number of spots?

I do think there could be a conflict of interest but I do believe there is definitely a perception of bias, proving actual bias would be more difficult.

It would be easier to give advice if we knew more about why only 6 kids went for it (are there more kids who could have applied) and why they limited it to 5.

Sounds very much like the sport one of my DCs is involved with, where one professional coach is responsible for picking the kids who the regional governing body will invest extra time and money in - and he just happens to always create training groups that are c90% comprised of young athletes currently paying to be coached by him, even bending selection criteria to suit them.

I dont understand all these comments. Does it matter really? Its only fricking normal that you would have an issue with a process that appears to be biased if it adversely affects your child. If your child wasn't adversely affected you probably wont think twice about it.
Its a hypothetical scenario you are posing as this man wasnt involved in the selection process before.

There's a governing body\organisation and the activity is connected closely to a charity so @timetablechaos doesn't have to prove anything, all she has to do is ask the question and that will set the dogs running. I know lots of us have had bad experiences with this sort of thing, but honestly charities absolutely will investigate anything t hat even looks like it might be slightly.dodgy - they simply cant afford not to these days.

No because she wouldn’t have been aware of any issues with the process and who was on the panel.

It absolutely would. This is the first year Mr X has been involved.

IMO, clear selection criteria at higher levels are v difficult to sort out. EG, attendance and punctuality is easy to track, but effort is more subjective. Improvement and results can be measured, but attitude and potential isn't as clear. So there will always be the potential for favouritism "he's more coachable" type comments.

It does sound unfair this time round. If there's no viable alternative team /coaching to move to, then you've nothing to loose by questioning further, and if necessary following the complaints procedure.

No nothing. It was all behind closed doors. No transparent process, no criteria given, no chance for try outs or for the young people to represent themselves. I believe that this itself goes against what this org stands for in and of itself and is grounds for questions. We were not told who would be making the decision. I emailed afterwards so at least got that much. Got a real shock when I saw Mr X come up.

Thank you. I am very much hoping this is the case. The umbrella organisation is all about fairness, justice and transparency.