Children as young as five will be encouraged to think about their ‘gender-identity’ and sexual orientation as part of the Scottish government’s ‘Named Person’ scheme.
Under the legislation, each council will have to produce a Children’s Services Plan, explaining how the scheme will work for all children and young people in their area.
North Ayrshire’s document, produced in conjunction with the NHS and Police Scotland, is entitled ‘Getting It Right For You’ and is among the first such plans to be released.
In a section of the booklet, tailored for 5-11-year-olds, it says: "it takes time to figure out who we are sexually and to understand our gender identity. The important thing is to be true to how you feel at the time."
It adds that it is "a normal, healthy part of human life [to be] attracted to boys, girls or both."
The 82-page document, which is being distributed to schools by North Ayrshire Children's Services Strategic Partnership, also states that teenagers will become "preoccupied by sex and relationships."
'Warped view of childhood and adolescence'
Norman Wells, of the Family Education Trust, told the Daily Express: "It is disturbing that Named Persons and local authority staff will be expected to follow this plan with its warped view of childhood and adolescence.
"North Ayrshire Council seems determined to normalise gender confusion among primary school children and to get them to question whether they are attracted to others of either sex.
"And to tell teenagers that they can expect to be preoccupied with sex and that it’s normal to engage in rule-breaking is grossly irresponsible. Such low expectations are likely to turn into self-fulfilling prophecies."
The Scheme
The 'Named Person' scheme, which has already been rolled out in parts of Scotland and will come into full effect this August, will see every child under 18 allocated a 'named person', such as a teacher or health visitor.
This 'named person' has responsibility to monitor the child's welfare and raise concerns, and also has access to medical and other confidential information about the child.
'Fundamentally flawed'
Scottish Conservative Shadow Education Secretary Liz Smith has criticised the scheme for being intrusive and fundamentally flawed. Speaking to the Daily Express she says:
"It doesn't matter how many guidance notes are issued to parents and professionals, the Named Person policy remains fundamentally flawed.
"It is intrusive on family privacy and there is the constant danger that confidentiality is compromised. That is what has alarmed parents.
"Add to this, the growing concern amongst professionals that the policy is not deliverable and it is clear to see why this policy has so many strong critics."
'People don’t buy the spin'
In this piece for the Conservative Woman blog Simon Calvert, of the No 2 Named Person (No2NP) coalition, dissects several aspects of the plan and exposes its flaws. He condemns the scheme for its lack of clarity, lack of confidentiality, and its vague concepts and definitions.
He concludes saying: "The Scottish Government has been trying to wriggle its way out of the endless contradictions as it ties itself in knots. People just don't buy the spin."
The No2NP coalition is currently in the process of a legal challenge to the measures, highlighting that they undermine the role of parents and put children at risk of overbearing state interference. It is backed by people from across the political spectrum including politicians, journalists, academics, religious groups, educationalists and parents.
Keep up to date and join over 35,000 others in signing the No2NP petition.
Related Links:
Further concerns over 'named person' scheme
Poll reveals majority oppose 'intrusive' 'Named person' scheme
Pupils' home life to be state-monitored under 'named person' scheme