Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines
Fraser guidelines refer specifically to sexual health
- contraception
- STIs
- termination of pregnancy
Practitioners using the Fraser guidelines should be satisfied of the following:
- the young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents or carers that they are seeking this advice or treatment (or to allow the practitioner to inform their parents or carers).
- the young person understands the advice being given.
- the young person's physical or mental health or both are likely to suffer unless they receive the advice or treatment.
- it is in the young person's best interests to receive the advice, treatment or both without their parents' or carers' consent.
- the young person is very likely to continue having sex with or without contraceptive treatment.
(Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985)
AND
child protection
You must always share child protection concerns with the relevant agencies, even if this goes against a child's wishes.