Grandfather takes wrong child out of school after mix-up

[Silver_Shiney]

I find this story shocking for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the school didn't sufficiently check the ID of the man.

Secondly, the girl didn't question who this strange man was.

Thirdly, if the surgery was expecting Child A and was presented with Child B, why didn't they say anything?

Fourthly, if Child A needed the medication prescribed, was there a misdiagnosis on Child B?

Lastly - and to my mind, more seriously - if this old chap didn't even recognise his own grandchild, what on earth were the parents doing giving him charge over her?

[Jan Rosser]

I found this story absolutely shocking particularly the grandfather not recognising his own grandchild - the whole thing was a tragedy waiting to happen - my stomach churns at the thought of all the things that could have happened.

[david63]

Unbelievable.

How many grandparents don't know their own grandchildren?

I have a feeling that there is perhaps more to this story than the report is saying - the "old story" of why ley the facts get in the way of a good story.

==================================

It has reminded me of an incident with our grandchildren several years ago.

At that time they were living in Portsmouth so we did not see them that often and certainly were not known at the nursery where they went. Anyway on this occasion we were "delegated" to collect them from the nursery (the nursery had been advised that we were collecting them) so we arrive at the nursery, knock on the door and say "We have come to collect ..." at which point granddaughter comes rushing down the corridor shouting "Granny, granny granny ..." and hurls herself at us - no doubt in anyone's mind as to who we were.

[Frank Manning]

When I did the Ofsted and Accounts Admin (unpaid) for a Playschool, it was our biggest nightmare. You dare not allow the child to say it is OK to go with someone, and we had a signature book, and a list of people whom the registering parent said was authorised to collect the child. Even when we knew the person collecting the child, we made them, sign. It was a concern for me dealing with all female staff, all close to the minimum wage. Luckily our Playschool Head was a marvellous girl, former British Midland, she formed a great team spirit, and we never had such problems. Ofsted were a pain!

[Meg 50]

when I worked in a Preschool we had to have a letter if someone different was coming.

One day a Dad turned up who we'd never seen before. The child was not allowed to go until he'd been to the hairdresser and got a message from his missus giving permission!

[Meg 50]

the head stated, "the safety of our pupils is of utmost importance"

could have fooled me!!!!!!!!

[jay-ell71]

Extraordinary! I would have expected a 6 year old to recognise the grandparent. And the "correct" grandchild would surely have spoken up when he/she recognised Granpa. As David said there is more to this than meets the eye. (The child might have been very obedient and taught never to question adults.)

[emjay45]

I read about this too. I also found it shocking on so many levels. I can't believe a grandfather didn't know his own grandchild. The thought of what could have taken place is horrific.

[Dancing Queen]

Goodness there has to be more to this story, very very worrying though, if a grandparent doesn't recognise their own grandchild what on earth were the parents thinking of to let him have their child in his care at all

[Silver_Shiney]

I've just been reading that the old boy has very poor eyesight... even so, didn't they talk to each other on the way to the surgery?

[Not so ancient mariner]

I've just been reading that the old boy has very poor eyesight... even so, didn't they talk to each other on the way to the surgery?

I do hope he wasn't driving..............

[Silver_Shiney]

apparently they went by bus... if his eyesight is so bad, should he really have been let out unaccompanied in the first place?

[Not so ancient mariner]

Maybe he just forgot his glasses. You know how the memory goes as you get older......

[Onelife]

I note the school has apologised to the parent/s of this six year old but I can’t help thinking the parent/s of this child should be apologising to the school for sending a near blind man to pick up “their” daughter.

A lack of responsibility all round if you ask me.

Regards

OL

[arcadialover]

A shocking story. it seems like the 2 girls looked alike. Many schools have a list of 3 people who can collect a child and these are all given a password. Perhaps the GP had never seen the child before, and it did say the grandfathers eyesight was poor. Perhaps well enough to get him from A to B but not see people/things closely. Perhaps the child was a very quiet child who thought it was ok to go because the teacher had handed her over. So many perhaps but just glad that the girl is ok, and maybe a lesson for things to be tightened up.

[Manoverboard]

Maybe he just forgot his glasses. You know how the memory goes as you get older......

Well, what can you expect, kids all look the same these days

[Kendhni]

apparently they went by bus... if his eyesight is so bad, should he really have been let out unaccompanied in the first place?

While the story highlights a failure of various systems I don't think we should expect blind people not to be allowed out accompanied or unaccompanied ... I worked with a blind chap in London many years ago and he made his own way to the underground to catch a tube to-and-from work every day ... he would have been most upset at the thought that he needed to be accompanied to leave his house.

I would like to think that the school/teachers will be a bit more careful in future and we should be thankful that ultimately this ended up with nobody getting hurt. The worst thing that could happen is for an over reaction that causes a lot of inconvenience to many people.

[arcadialover]

apparently they went by bus... if his eyesight is so bad, should he really have been let out unaccompanied in the first place?

While the story highlights a failure of various systems I don't think we should expect blind people not to be allowed out accompanied or unaccompanied ... I worked with a blind chap in London many years ago and he made his own way to the underground to catch a tube to-and-from work every day ... he would have been most upset at the thought that he needed to be accompanied to leave his house.

I would like to think that the school/teachers will be a bit more careful in future and we should be thankful that ultimately this ended up with nobody getting hurt. The worst thing that could happen is for an over reaction that causes a lot of inconvenience to many people.

Totally agree. Someone I knew at work, blind from birth used to go shopping with his little girl in a pack on his back accompanied with his guide dog. I once walked to the shops with him and was amazed at the pace he walked, I had trouble keeping up.

[Dancing Queen]

Ken. I agree with you 100%, we have a friend who is blind, he is so independent and does pretty much the same as a sighted person would, there is/was no reason this man shouldn't have collected his granddaughter ( even with failing eye sight ) what was wrong is that a child could be handed over into someone's care "by mistake" no doubt there are many reasons as to how/why it happened but it shouldn't have !!!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing fortunately no harm came to the little girl which is the important thing.

[Quizzical Bob]

None of the parties involved comes out of this with any credit.

[Silver_Shiney]

Very true, Bob, very true...