Now there was once a King who was tasked with finding training, and one day, two ‘accredited trainers’ came to sell the King what they said was training of a national standard.

The King was a wise and gentle man, and on seeing the various skills and techniques demonstrated the King became very concerned. He was not sure that what he was being shown was appropriate for the welfare of his subjects on whom it may be used. Furthermore, he was also even more concerned about the complexity of the techniques and as such the ability of his staff to be able to use the system appropriately and effectively. (Read article on 'Minimum Force').

“Are these techniques suitable for what I require?” asked the King. “These techniques are part of a Nationally Approved Course” replied the trainers. “They have all been approved and it would not be wise for you to use anything other than what we can offer. You are aware of the National Standard promoted by the Department of Accreditation by Association, aren’t you?” (Read article on 'Negligence')

The King had never heard of such a Government Department. He also had no knowledge of what a good or bad technique would be as that wasn’t his area of expertise. However, he was the King, and as such he believed that it would be expected of him to be expected to know. Therefore, in an attempt not to look foolish the King said: “Of course I have. I was just making sure that you were properly accredited.”

Well, the truth of the matter is, there is no such thing as a National Standard, and the Department of Accreditation by Association was exactly what it said it was. It was merely a self-accrediting, self-regulating, organisation that developed and promoted it’s own standards, nothing more. But the swindlers were very smart, and they said, "Your Majesty, to a wise man this is ‘approved, accredited and recognised training’, but to a fool it is absolutely inappropriate and ineffective." 

Naturally, the King not wanting to appear a fool, said: "Isn't it grand! Isn't it fine! Look at the posture, the skill, the badge! The training is all together, but all together it's all together the most remarkable training that I have ever seen. These eyes of mine at once determine the skills as competent, the badge as lawful, I really, really must agree, I like what I have seen. Somebody send for the Queen."

Well they sent for the Queen and they quickly explained to her about the training.  And naturally, the Queen not wanting to appear a fool, said: "Well, isn't it oh! Isn't it good! Look at the way the instructors move! The approved training is all together, but all together it's all together the most remarkable training that I have ever seen. These eyes of mine at once determine the skills as competent, the badge as lawful, I really, really must agree, I like what I have seen. Summon the court to convene."

Well the court convened, and you never saw in your life as many people as were at that court.  All the heads of department, the senior managers, the educational psychologists, social care inspectors, representatives from various other Court departments, and so on. It was just full with people, and they were all told about the Nationally Recognised Approved and Accredited Training. And after they were told they naturally didn't want to appear fools either so they said:

"Isn't it ohhh! Isn't it ahhh! Isn't it absolutely brill! The approved training is all together, but all together it's all together the most remarkable training that we have ever seen. These eyes of ours at once determine the skills as competent, the badge as lawful, I really, really must agree, we like what we have seen. Now quickly, put it all together with books with badges and letters so clever, train it in a way that no will ever question please.”

Now back to the original story of the Kings new clothes…………

Now the day of the big parade came and the streets were just lined with thousands, and thousands, and thousands of people, and they all were cheering as the artillery came by, the infantry marched by, the cavalry galloped by. And everybody was cheering like mad, except one little boy. You see, he hadn't heard about the magic suit and didn't know what he was supposed to see. Well, as the King came by the little boy looked and, horrified, said,

"Look at the King! Look at the King! Look at the King, the King, the King! The King is in the all together, but all together the all together, he's all together as naked as the day that he was born. The King is in the all together but all together the all together, it's all together the very least the King has ever worn."

Thought for the day.
Do you only see only that which you believe you are supposed to see, or do you see only what you think others want you to see??  If you are, are you very possibly leaving yourself extremely naked to the risk of an increased liability?

Remember, in the kingdom of blind the one-eyed man will always be king.