Am I the only one who can see a few problems with this?

[fireheart17]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/s...-1226619462901

The problem I can see is not so much with the screenings itself-there is a valuable use for them (ie people who've abused children in the past, whether physical/sexual) but rather with the potential abuse for them. The three problems I identified were:

-The fact that SSO's* are not going to be screened. SSO's go through the exact same process of criminal history checks and mandatory notification that teachers do. A number of SSO's work with disabled students. This puts them at a risk for abuse.

-The fact that the screening could end up discouraging male teachers from staying in their position. I've heard horror stories of divorced parents making claims to Families SA (aka social work) that the other parent is abusing their kid when the claims aren't always true. Usually it seems to be the father who is the victim.

-The screening could also end up unearthing problems that have absolutely NOTHING to do with how a teacher teaches. (ie child receives support from Families SA or similar for behavioural reasons that may be due to a particular disability)

[crashhelmet]

This is one of those laws that works in principle, but without really knowing all of the details is hard to pass judgement on.

What exactly is an SSO? Does that title encompass all non-teaching positions at a school? Admins, medical, counselors, janitors, security, etc? My personal belief is that if they're going to screen one position at a school, they should screen all. Including the Principal/Headmaster.

As a male and former high school teacher, I know all too well the fears of being falsely accused of impropriety. Hopefully all people screened, regardless of their position, have an opportunity to appeal or defend any possible issues that come up from this.

Will they screen existing staff as well? The article mentions screening when the candidates apply. What about the ones that already have the job? Screen them now or wait until their contract is up? Are your teachers on a contract system down there like we are here?

[HYHYBT]

Too much would depend on how the information would be used... but even if it's considered case by case at first, it sounds like the sort of thing that would devolve into an automatic rejection pretty quickly.

[fireheart17]

Oops, bumping up.

An SSO (which I stupidly forgot to mention in my earlier post) is basically anyone who is not teaching, but works in a school. This includes groundskeepers, library assistants, teachers aides, front office ladies etc.