Postscript to the child missing from Bristol

Never let it be said that I am reluctant to admit when I have been wrong! In an act of monumental nosiness, I actually rang the woman who sent the email from Bristol to the Hampshire home educators. I have to report that it was, as suspected by many, sheer busybodying on the part of Bristol, with no welfare concerns at all. The woman who sent the email, Rachel Doling, says that it is policy now among all local authorities to try and find out when anybody with a child not at school moves to another district and then notify that local authority so that they can move in on the hapless family. This is apparently done as a matter of routine by all councils now, which I did not know. So, there it is! I was wrong and all those who thought that the local authority were being overzealous and meddling in matters which really are beyond their remit were absolutely right. Which only goes to show that it is always a good idea to check out the facts before one goes shooting one's mouth off.