We all know that it’s just about impossible to make a living from being a poet. So poets try and do other poetry-associated activities, such as workshops, readings and talks, to eke out a living.
Sometimes they get to visit schools and talk to the children about poetry and about being a writer.
Very soon, if they want to continue to do this in the UK, they will have to pay £64 to be vetted and get a certificate saying that there is nothing in their past that might make them a threat to the children. (That’s the children that they will be seeing just once, in a group of probably 30 or more, for perhaps an hour, with at least one member of staff in attendance.)
This is the result of regulations that start to take effect from October and require all adults whose work brings them into regular contact with children or vulnerable adults to sign up for the Vetting and Barring Scheme.
Some authors – including three ex-children’s laureates – have said they will stop doing school visits if the scheme goes ahead. (It occurs to me that if such a database exists, a children’s laureate must expect to be included: if working with children isn’t part of their job description, then what the heck is?)
Personally, I think the whole thing is ludicrous. If authors who visit schools are to be included, so, presumably must policemen who go and talk to kids about road safety. And firemen. And missionaries. What about librarians? Toyshop owners? Bookshop assistants?
And what about actors and pop singers who are popular with younger audiences? (I suppose I’ll be betraying my age if I talk about the irony of Matt Smith and Daniel Radcliffe having to register when they’re barely more than children themselves.)
According to this report in the Register, “The standard of checking will be to what is known as the CRB enhanced level, which means that not only will actual criminal convictions be taken into account – but also allegations made to the Police and, it is expected, “soft intelligence” about individuals.”
Recently, there was controversy over the appointment of the Professor of Poetry at Oxford University. Years ago, Derek Walcott, one of the original contenders for the post, was the subject of sexual harrassment allegations. He’s also a Nobel Prize winner and highly respected poet. If I had a child who had the chance to attend a talk or reading by Walcott, I’d be furious if some small-minded officials refused him access to the school.
Presumably politicians will have to be vetted too. After all, they spend their lives working with vulnerable people. Vulnerable and gullible people otherwise known as the electorate.
don't confuse the narrator 