Parents are so keen to control their children’s futures that they are less likely to leave them to make a decision about when to leave formal education to go to work or take a vocational course than they are to let them make up their own minds on when to become sexually active. The findings come today in a report from the educational foundation, Edge following research into attitudes to ‘academic’ education.

Today’s study shows that only 41 per cent of parents would trust a child to decide when to leave traditional academic education while 46 per cent said they would happily rely on their child’s own judgment in deciding when they should have sex. The research found, however, that in spite of their apparent determination to control their child’s learning choices, only 22 per cent of parents believed they had enough information about the education options open to their children and a third of parents said they were unable to speak freely with their children about their education and ambitions.

The gap in understanding between parents’ and children’s values was further highlighted over career choices. Twenty-one per cent wanted their children to become lawyers, almost as many opted for them to become doctors and 18 per cent would like their children to be scientists. Parents acknowledged, however, that their children would prefer jobs in web design, fashion or entrepreneurship.

Garry Hawkes, the chairman of Edge, said, “Parents are now so keen to ensure their child goes down a traditional academic route that they are ignoring the practical and vocational options which their child may prefer. Our research points to a worrying communication breakdown where parents and teenagers are not openly discussing all the educational and life choices available.”

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Plans for a single national database containing the personal details of every child in the country are being delayed so a review of its security can be carried out and changes made to the system. The Children’s Minister, Kevin Brennan, said the decision had been taken following the loss last week of computer discs containing details of parents and children receiving Child Benefit.

Earlier this year heads of local authority children’s services warned that a number of issues needed to be addressed before the system – ContactPoint – could safely go live. The Association of Directors of Children’s Services said they supported the creation of the database but there were ‘a number of technical and resource challenges which will need to be overcome in the delivery of ContactPoint’.

Mr Brennan said that delay would enable an independent assessment of security procedures to take place as well as giving time to address changes to ContactPoint that potential system users had said they needed. The review will mean the 224 million pound system will be delayed by about five months and will not now come into use until next September or October next year.

The idea of ContactPoint followed the recommendations of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie, which highlighted the need to make it easier for the various agencies involved in child protection to co-ordinate their work. It is designed to hold details including a child’s name, address, date of birth and contact details of their parents, school, doctor and and any professionals working with them.

Mr Brennan said the Government had received feedback from children, parents, local councils and professionals on the operation of the database. “Over the last few months we have been considering the substantial stakeholder feedback we have received and looked at the implications that the resulting proposed changes could have on the system,” he said. Only last week, the children’s rights director for England, Roger Morgan, warned that young people had serious concerns about the database and
feared paedophiles would spent time and effort trying to access information from it.

Read more on DATABASE OF CHILDREN’S DETAILS TO BE DELAYED…

This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It presents a case study of the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s strategy of flexible working and accommodation rationalisation, that is delivering annual savings of over 11 million pounds. In the last three years the council has improved service and value to the citizens by improving staff productivity and working conditions and consolidating the Councils’ property portfolio.

Read more on SAVINGS WITH ACCOMMODATION AND FLEXIBLE WORKING…