Santa - A Cautionary Note!

This started off as a bit of a laugh, but as I progressed I realised that as 'Bah, humbug' it might seem, there is something to think about with the Santa's Grotty scenario. So, read for yourself and see what you think:

It has come to my attention that people are actively encouraging children to engage in dangerous activities such as would normally not be allowed under many of the Child protection protocols in place across our nation in a number of ways:

ONE
I have seen young children being actively encouraged by parent, teachers (and even clergy) to take sweets and presents from an unknown stranger. This obviously breaks every rule regarding child safety.

TWO
Children are being encouraged to engage in contact with strangers. I have seen them not only encouraged, but actually placed on the lap of the stranger and even seen the children encouraged to give the man a kiss! Heavens above, whatever next?

THREE
Secrets. One of the children I saw last year had a chat with Santa and at the end of the conversation Santa told the child not to forget what he'd said and not to tell anyone, because that was their secret! How long have we been trying to teach children about 'secrets' in an attempt to make sure that nothing untoward ever went on?

Now I know I'm having a laugh at Santa's expense (I just hope this doesn't put me on the 'naughty' list) but there is actually a serious element to what I am saying in that these days we have to be careful about what we sow and what we appear to approve.

Taking the points in order:

First
It is good practice for any sweets to be passed to the child via the parent or carer who is with the child. This allows Santa to give sweets and/or a present but the child is actually receiving from a 'known' adult and the chain of trust is maintained. There is a danger of Santa, and people who come into schools and places where children are, setting the scene whereby children are put at risk. I don't want to make everything a fearful and risk-aware situation, but neither do I want to send mixed messages that could lead to a child being put into a place of danger or risk.

Second
More and more the practice is that the child sits alongside Santa and the child is never alone with him or one of his helpers. many places now stop the child sitting on Santa's lap (and that's a blessing for he's a pretty fearsome sight when you're a toddler) altogether and this might not be such a bad thing.

Third
We should never encourage children to get into the 'secrets' game with adults. Making it right in one situation effectively permissions a child, or makes them believe that keeping secrets is actually permissible. Encouragement from a trusted adult to do that with a stranger is, sadly, setting the scene for something less ho, ho, ho!

people doing the Santa role are generally these days in possession of an enhanced CRB check. We need to make sure that whenever we have a grotto that the situation never comes about where any child is alone with Santa, a helper or people that the child doesn't know. I know it sounds a bit OTT and the reality is that the majority of people are extremely safe, but we need to be aware - not fearful and not living in a world of suspicion and doubt - and to take our responsibilities seriously.

Ho, Ho, Ho - it's still a really super Tuesday.