Supporting Your Child’s Assessment Journey
We understand that making decisions about your child’s health can be complex, especially when parents are separated or hold different views. Our primary commitment is always to the best interests and welfare of your child.
This leaflet is intended for parents and legal guardians to explain the process of obtaining parental consent and what happens when there is a disagreement over whether your child should undergo an assessment with us.
What is PR? Understanding Parental Responsibility (PR)
Parental Responsibility (PR) refers to the rights and responsibilities a person has in caring for a child.
- PR is usually held by the child’s mother and by anyone else who is recognised as a parent, including fathers or second parents who are married to the mother, in a civil partnership with her, or named on the child’s birth certificate.
- Same-sex parents also share PR, where they are recognised as the child’s parents.
- PR can also be held by others who take on an important caring role, and may be obtained through processes such as a Parental Responsibility Agreement, a Parental Responsibility Order, adoption, being appointed as a guardian, or being granted a Child Arrangements Order or Special Guardianship Order.
Separation or divorce DOES NOT remove PR.
Consent for an Autism or ADHD Assessment
Legally, for most non-invasive assessments (like an Autism or ADHD assessment), Healthcare providers only require consent from one person with PR to proceed. The consent for appointments is given by the referring parent at the point of referral and is assumed to be ongoing (although it can be withdrawn at any time).
Best practice guidance also recommends that the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) making the referral inform other PR holders about the assessment. Sharing this information helps avoid misunderstandings or disagreements. We understand that this may not always be possible, and we kindly ask parents to notify us if this will be a difficulty.
Obtaining your child’s consent
For both young adults and children under 16, the referring parent must discuss the assessment with their child. They should explain to their child what the assessment is for and what the diagnosis might be following the assessment. Children who are deemed Gillick Competent have the right to refuse to take part in the assessment.
Consent FAQs
Young adults aged 16 or older are entitled to consent to their own treatment, unless there is a very good reason that they can’t. This can only be overruled in very special circumstances. A person aged 16 or over can consent to an assessment without parental consent.
If your child is under 16 but has sufficient maturity and understanding about the assessment, they may be deemed Gillick Competent however, if one parent with PR does not give consent, the disagreement may need to be resolved by the court. In such cases, the assessment will not be able to proceed.
A child’s consent relating to their personal data being processed slightly differs with age, and the UK, in general, allows a child of 13 or older to consent to their data being used under GDPR law
We welcome both parents to the child’s appointments, although this is not a requirement. We expect that the parent who makes the referral and receives the appointment email, or any other documentation, will share it with the other parent with PR. There are circumstances where this is not possible, and in these cases, please contact the administrative team.
In cases where parents are unable to attend the appointment together, we cannot provide additional or separate appointments. We can offer an alternative method for contributing information to the assessment, for example, a questionnaire. All views are considered by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) when discussing diagnostic outcomes.
Clinicians have a responsibility to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved in the meeting. Where the clinician believes there is harmful conflict or significant disagreement during an assessment, they have the right to bring the assessment meeting to an early close. Any decision to pause or terminate an assessment is made carefully, in line with professional guidance, safeguarding requirements, and legal obligations, and always with the child’s best interests as priority.
Clinicians will acknowledge both parents' accounts, but where significant parental disagreement arises, this may make it challenging for the clinical team to reach a clear diagnostic conclusion. We encourage parents and legal guardians to work collaboratively wherever possible.
We cannot accept or continue an assessment if anyone with PR is involved in ongoing Family Court or Criminal Proceedings related to the child (unless the proceedings are unrelated to an assessment and both parents agree to the assessment). Once these proceedings have concluded, we can begin or resume the assessment. In these circumstances, please notify us.
- Where parents have active proceedings in the Family Courts.
- Where one parent with PR contacts us to say that they do not agree to the assessment (unless the child is 16 years of age or over).
- Where there is significant disagreement between parents regarding a child’s difficulties, the conflicting information is likely to prevent the clinical team from reaching a conclusion about the assessment outcome.
- Where there is harmful conflict during the assessment process.
- Access to Records: Parents with PR generally have the right to access their child's medical records. Please note that this is for the child’s records only, and anything discussed during the assessment between one parent and our team is not subject to full disclosure to another parent without consent to do so from the parent involved during the assessment itself.
- The Child's View: If the child is competent (or aged 13 or older), they have the legal right to consent to or refuse access by others, including their parents.
- Withholding Information: Information can be withheld from a parent with PR if:
- The child is over 13 or is Gillick Competent and refuses consent.
- The disclosure would be contrary to the child's best interests or could lead to serious harm.
- All requests are reviewed by management and the senior clinical team, with confidentiality and safeguarding considerations taken into account.
Disagreements can occur over access to notes or reports rather than the assessment itself:
Where parents cannot agree
Our role as healthcare staff is to support the health needs of your child.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with any disputes or act as an intermediary between parents. We therefore would appreciate it if parents with parental responsibility work together to support us, in the best interests of the children and their families. Should parents require further support, the following contact details are available for assistance.
PALS – Patient Advice and Liaison Service. Offers confidential advice and support regarding NHS services.
IASS – Information, Advice and Support Services. Provides impartial advice, particularly on disagreements related to educational needs.
Mediators – Help separating parents resolve disagreements without going to court.