While the law prohibits corporal punishment in mainstream schools, a defence of reasonable punishment is available to adults acting in loco parentis.
Sir Roger Singleton, chief adviser on the safety of children, said: "Those teaching in part-time educational and learning settings such as Saturday and Sunday school teachers may be acting in loco parentis and therefore be able to plead the defence; possibly, and depending on the circumstances, even youth workers, music teachers and home tutors might also be able to plead the defence."
Children's Secretary Ed Balls has asked Singleton to help develop advice on where to draw the line in respect of the availability of the reasonable punishment defence, which could also be used by babysitters and family members, as well as parents.
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