When considering competence clinicians need to consider the child’s. This factsheet sets out the basic information to enable you to obtain the appropriate consent from children and young people. See full list on medicalprotection. When caring for children, you have an overriding duty to act in the best interests of the child. When making decisions regarding treatment, the child or young person should be involved in the decision as much as possible, depending on their level of understanding.
Aged and 17A child’s affirmative consent (assent) to investigation or treatment deemed in their best interests, having achieved the age of 1 cannot be overruled by anyone with parental responsibility, although the court may in its capacity a. However, you should consider carefully whether overriding the consent of a distressed child , given the clinical circumstances at the time , is necessary. Often, if sufficient time is given, the parents will be able to encourage the child that the intervention will be beneficial. You should aim to work in partnership with the parents, assuming that the child’s best. The same principle applies if the parents of a noncompetent child choose to withhold consent for what you believe to be necessary treatment. You are obliged to act in the child’s best interests and these situations, whilst rare, will likely be fraught and legal advice should be sought.