[LashStoat]

Dear Wolfy999,

I can see why this would make you feel uncomfortable. I can’t judge it from a legal viewpoint, but here are my thoughts (mostly to do with ethics and security) in no particular order:

• The school should have made you aware of any “hidden” or “additional” costs at the time you signed up, so that you could make an informed decision. Whilst all organizations can introduce new costs, it is ethical to do it at the time of contract, not after signup.

• I imagine that the PIP will occur during school hours, meaning working parents would have to take time off, annual leave or whatever to “do their duty”. That sucks.

• How can they direct debit your account without your authorization? That’s got to be illegal. If they take it off a credit card, you could ring the Card issuer and reverse the debit.

• Also does this mean that “unknown” adults are going to be wandering around the school, with no background screening, and engaging with your child – when they aren’t qualified teachers, and for all you know they could be pedophiles? To me, this is the most serious issue, and I think you could use it to scare the school on legal grounds – it would be a breech of school security. I’m thinking Columbine and Jonbenet.

…I’m thinking if points 1 to 3 doesn’t stop them, point 4 should make ‘em sit up. If they still push the point, insist on background screening for each and every participant. That would mean every participant would have to sign a consent form to be screened (ie: Police Check).

The strategy is to shift heavy legal responsibility onto the Principal (which I’m betting they won’t want to do). I’m also betting parents won’t want to consent (for civil/privacy reasons).

Hugs, and good luck,

The Stoat.