Name shame?

Jim Kirkness (Letters, 7 December) demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the principles behind the Named Persons Scheme. His letter also demonstrates how effectively the PR battle around this issue was hijacked by fundamentalist Christians and many people with absolutely zero knowledge of child protection systems, but with a good idea of how to work the media.

While it is accepted that child molesters can be very devious, it is also clear that Mr Kirkness has no knowledge of how vetting and disclosure operates with regard to adults working with children and safeguards which operate to protect both the children and adults. Also, to say that it will be impossible to find “people of impeachable integrity” is to condemn en masse the teachers, health visitors and social workers who will be at the forefront of the scheme.

This scheme is widely supported by a large range of children’s organisations who have examined its potential to help support and protect children and none of them can be described as crackpots. In framing the guidance under which the scheme will work the government needs to pay particular attention to views of the whole range of involved professionals. They also need to work harder to communicate how the scheme will operate and its benefits in order to counteract the uninformed comment and misinformation which currently surrounds it.

GILL TURNER Derby Street, Edinburgh Further to Jim Kirkness’ letter on the Named Persons Scheme, this piece of legislation is just fodder to the legal profession. If it ever gets approved the Named Persons will be constantly tested in the courts because it is the worst piece of legislation dreamt up by this SNP Government.

Who in their right mind would let unknown strangers be in charge of their children?

The parents should be looking after their children.

MICHAEL BAIRD Dornoch Road, Bonar Bridge