Teachers ordered not to risk touching children for fear of legal action

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Rising numbers of schools and nurseries are banning staff from touching children because they fear accusations of assault. In some, teachers are ordered not to put plasters on cuts or grazes or apply suncream without parental consent. The paranoia over legal action also means many nursery workers will only change nappies in public areas where there are witnesses. Some even telephone parents before taking a child to the toilet and others will only perform the duty in pairs. The findings will fuel fears that political correctness is paralysing the education system. Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University surveyed 1,000 councils, nurseries and schools.

source: 'Teachers ordered not to risk touching children for fear of legal action' by Sarah Harris; www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=518289&in_page_id=1770; Daily Mail; 25 February 2008