Consent — What You Need to Know

Provider: Child Psychiatry Consultancy Ltd

Version: 1.0

Review date: 09/10/2026

Before any assessment, treatment, or prescription, we need your agreement. This is called consent. Here is what that means for your family.

What consent means

Consent means you agree to go ahead with an assessment or treatment after being given clear, honest information about what is involved, what the benefits and risks are, and what the alternatives are. Consent must always be:

•       Informed — you have enough information to make a decision

•       Voluntary — you are not being pressured

•       Ongoing — you can change your mind at any time

•       Documented — we keep a record of what was agreed

Who gives consent for a child?

For children under 16, a parent or carer with parental responsibility gives consent on their child's behalf. We always involve your child in the conversation in an age-appropriate way — their views matter to us, even when parents hold the legal authority to decide.

Gillick competence

Some young people under 16 are mature enough to understand and decide about their own care. This is known as Gillick competence. Dr Athina Zakynthinaki will assess this where relevant and discuss it with you and your child. For young people aged 16 and 17, they generally have the legal capacity to consent to their own treatment.

What we ask you to consent to

•       The assessment process — the tools used and what happens during appointments

•       Clinical notes and records being kept securely in our system

•       Information being shared with your GP, school, or other professionals involved in your child's care

•       Use of our secure video platform (Zoom Business) for consultations

•       Any treatment including medication — discussed and agreed at every stage

Sharing information

Information about your child is normally kept strictly confidential. We will only share it without your consent in two circumstances: safeguarding (where we believe your child or another person is at risk of harm), or legal obligation (where required by law or a court order). We will always tell you when information has been shared, unless doing so would put someone at risk.

Withdrawing consent

You can withdraw consent at any time and for any reason. Simply tell Dr Athina Zakynthinaki and we will pause all activity immediately. Withdrawing consent will never affect the respect and care you receive from us. We will always support you to understand your options.

How consent is recorded

At the start of your assessment or treatment, we record your consent in your child's secure clinical record. We note who gave consent, what information was shared, and what was agreed. We revisit consent whenever treatment plans change significantly.

Questions

If you have any questions about consent — before, during, or after your child's care — please ask. We are always happy to explain.

•       Email: info@childpsychiatry.uk

•       Website: www.childpsychiatry.uk