There was indeed a change of policy on caning in Notts, but in 1977 when the Conservatives took control of the council. I think it only affected certain types of community homess (read reformatory) where caning had previously been banned. I don’t think school caning in Notts had ever been banned. The change allowed both boys and girls aged 7 to 17 to be given up to 6 strokes of a light cane, on the buttocks only and over normal indoor clothing. Boys were to be punished by the Head or Officer in Charge, girls were to be punished by a senior female member of staff in the presence of the Head or Officer in charge. It isn’t stated anywhere, but it seems implicit in the reports that there was a ceiling for female staff in community home hierachies in those days!