Safeguarding.

[geoffrey]

I young male worker at a council-operated children's club was dismissed because he was seen to pick up a 6-year old boy that had fallen down and walk across the hall with him in his arms. there was no suggestion that he improperly touched him. When he complained that the senior female manager who made the complaint regularly picked up both boys and girls in similar circumstances, she claimed and the council accepted that it is different for a woman to do it.

Has that young man any redress?.

[Celestine]

Re: Safeguarding.

Was the young man enhanced CRB checked by the Council in advance of gaining this position?

It is NOT different for a woman to pick up a child and if that is the basis of his dismissal, he should seek legal advice immediately. There have been recent nursery 'incidents' involving women, so this council is very unwise to jump to such a conclusion.

Men make great teachers, nursery assistants, carers and nurses....it would be impossible for them to perform their roles if there was any basis to the Councils allegation.

[Johnboy007]

Re: Safeguarding.

I would say that this is a case of sexual discrimination.
It is sad, but a fact. Sexual predators are male and female alike, and no distinction should be made in the case of the young man.
Unfortunately the general feeling is that when a man is involved, it is taken more seriously, than if it was a women.
A classic example is where a male teacher is having an affair with a female student. Absolutely disgusting , and he should be shot.
A female teacher having an affair with a male student, disgusting, she should be sacked.

I would say on the evidence as it stands, and if he can provide proof, then his course of action would be to sue for damages, for sexual discrimination.

[Kati]

Re: Safeguarding.

I agree with both Celestine and Johnboy007 ... All people who work so closely with children should surely be CRB (enhanced) checked, and just walking across a room with the boy in his arms is NOT a crime!! It is exactly the same principle while working with children whether it is a man or a woman. If the other staff can do it, then so can he. Has the man had problems with the senior manager before??

I would definitely be looking at unfair dismissal, possibly also sexual discrimination and making a formal complaint to the Council Ombudsman regarding his treatment.

[enquirer]

Re: Safeguarding.

Take the advice given by Celestine - seek professional legal advice at once.

[Johnboy007]

Re: Safeguarding.

My eldest daughter is a teaching assistant in a primary school.
Touching children is discouraged, unless absolutely necessary.
What a sad bloody world we live in.

[geoffrey]

Re: Safeguarding.

The young man took his case to an employment tribunal where the council was found guilty of gender discrimination and he was awarded a financial settlement and been reinstated. The council admitted that they were wrong in permitting women but not men to pick up children but stressed that (as in this case) they should only do so if essential.

[Johnboy007]

Re: Safeguarding.

Great news and justice for the young man in question.....

[Kati]

Re: Safeguarding.

The young man took his case to an employment tribunal where the council was found guilty of gender discrimination and he was awarded a financial settlement and been reinstated. The council admitted that they were wrong in permitting women but not men to pick up children but stressed that (as in this case) they should only do so if essential.

It should be the same for both men AND women!!!!!

Glad it's sorted tho'