School pupil 'health survey'

[horseymum]

Does anyone have a link to the actual survey questions, I've just seen a couple of disturbing screen shots on Twitter and a daily mail article? There also appears to be a Perth council letter saying the data is linked to the pupil through their candidate number so can easily be traced back to them, however secure they say it is.

Sadly, as an erstwhile criminal lawyer I’m only too aware of the uses to which sensitive sexual information is put.

Aye? Yes or no answers on a health questionnaire could be used for criminal means? Genuinely did not know that. I can't really imagine how but I'm not a former criminal lawyer so will of course defer to your experience. Learn something new every day. Do you mean like blackmail or something?

No, some people get off on sexual content no matter how formal.

There are also child protection issues. Would anonymity be preserved if something were to be disclosed, even in jest?

It’s a murky old world. Hence my lack of trust.

No if something were to be disclosed that was a child protection issue then anonymity isn't preserved. The researcher will look up the number and abs follow the child protection protocol. This, I assume from reading the blurb, would be explained prior to starting the questionnaire and is pretty likely to deter jokers I would think.

Not that anonymous then, is it?

Its literally all in that wee FAQ that someone posted. It's anonymous in the sense that it's linked to a number not a name but If child safety issues are raised then someone has to pursue it and they can then seek to find out who the child is. It's not teachers sitting round the staff room looking up their fourth years for a laugh. It's professionals doing a job.

I would say it's as anonymous as it can be when you would need to have a safeguarding element built in. Do you know what else it is? Entirely optional.

The questions in this census have been pulled together from lots of other questionnaires that have been used in the past, nothing really new about it.

A really horrific possibility has been raised. How on earth will children who are being or have been sexually abused feel when confronted with this?

@WouldBeGood

A really horrific possibility has been raised. How on earth will children who are being or have been sexually abused feel when confronted with this?

They would sit it out like they do for sex education.

But they’re not going to say that 🙄

Have some compassion

“Please. Miss, I’m getting shagged by my dad, can I sit this questionnaire out?” Is that really what you suggest?

Sadly, I've had ten year olds who have suffered sexual abuse and do not take part in PSHE. Obviously others take part in it.

I guess the main point is why do they need to know this information anyway?

Yes they can opt out, parents can opt them out yada yada, but why expose 14 year olds to these questions anyway?

My DC are older but I'm assuming that lessons cover consent, contraception and safe sex and hopefully respect for themselves and others. If you then make sure that there are well publicised resources/people to speak to etc for DC that are in worrying situations then I honestly have no idea why they are asking children to self declare how often and with how many partners and what type of sex they may or may not be having? What's the purpose?

I'm sure the doc said fourth year?

It’s horrible @StarryEyeSurprise. And I suppose if it’s known about it’s easier to leave them out, although the kids will still stand out. But if it’s as yet undisclosed the trauma of being handed this is really not justifiable

Or was it sixth year even? Not first or second I'm sure.

It does say 4th year - 4th years can be 14.

The survey is for a range of ages I think but with certain questions reserved for older one ,in s 4 but regardless of age. But surely even in s4 one might be entitled to be traumatised by triggering questions as part of the school day?

Well yes @WouldBeGood

Still trying to see what the benefit of these questions are?

I’m really hoping for a bit of humanity towards children who’ve already suffered.

Well no point looking for that from our leadership @wouldbegood

True. I just felt like it needed saying. It’s quite distressing.

I know how you feel

So, we have distress caused to children with no discernible benefit?