obtain background information to ensure they are aware of the purpose of counselling and what it is likely to entail. 8.2
Written permission from Primary parents is obtained using the Parent Informed Consent Form (appendix 2). However, if the issue involves child protection and informing the parents could increase the risk of harm, there may be circumstances where a counsellor sees a child without consent.
8.3
Students who are in Secondary school and meet the Fraser Guidelines, and are deemed “Gillick competent” i.e. are able to give informed consent, do not need parental permission to access counselling (further details in Appendix 3).
8.4
The British Psychological Society Best Practice Guidelines (Third Edition) states: “...young people who are deemed to be competent to make their own decisions: ‘Gillick competent’ can give their own consent to involvement with a psychologist, and that if a young person gives consent under these circumstances, then parental consent is not required.”
8.5
Most Secondary students are able to make an informed decision about whether to receive counselling. Furthermore, it is their discretion whether parents are informed that they are seeing the counsellor (see section 4.18 Mental health and behaviour in schools, 2018, UK Department of Education and Appendix 3, Fraser Guidelines).
8.6
In addition, the Secondary student can request that parents are not informed of their involvement with the service or ask to see a counsellor in situations where the parents have declined consent. However, this request would be overridden in the event of a safeguarding need. Child protection takes precedence over the therapeutic relationship. If counselling is to be provided online, written consent from the parent or young person will be required (Appendix 4).
ETHICAL FRAMEWORK AND CONFIDENTIALITY 9.1
The BACP ethical framework states “confidentiality is essential in a therapeutic relationship as part of building trust”5. Building and maintaining a safe space, where students are able to confide in the counsellor, at times necessitates holding information that they may have felt unable to speak about with a parent.
9.2
Every young person is entitled to have a private life and to have their autonomy respected, these are fundamental rights established under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Further, Article 379 of the UAE Penal Code states that “anyone
5
BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy [2010].
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