Therapy Agreement and Informed Consent

Reviewed in October 2026.

Next review: October 2027.

Parties and purpose

This agreement is between Saskia Joss Therapy and the person arranging services, with the child or young person involved in an age-appropriate way. It sets out the expectations for therapy, parent consultations, telephone appointments and professional letters. The individual service, session length, frequency, fee and paying party will be confirmed before booking.

Therapeutic approach and limits

Therapy is collaborative and tailored to the child's needs. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Therapy is not an emergency service, a diagnostic assessment unless expressly agreed, or a forensic or court-reporting service.

Consent and parental responsibility

We establish the relevant consent arrangements, consider the child's competence and seek appropriate assent. Parents should disclose relevant court orders, changes to parental responsibility and material safety information. Disputes may require consultation or a pause before work proceeds.

Confidentiality

Sessions are confidential within professional and legal limits. We explain in accessible language when information may need to be shared for safeguarding, serious risk, legal requirements or professional supervision. Routine parent feedback is discussed and agreed with consideration for the child's privacy.

Safeguarding and emergencies

We may contact parents, GPs, schools, children's social care, emergency services or other appropriate agencies where lawful and necessary to protect safety. This service is not monitored continuously. In immediate danger call 999; for urgent NHS advice use NHS 111 or local crisis services.

Appointments, fees and cancellation

Current published terms state that in-person sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged in full, while telephone appointments require 12 hours' notice unless rearranged. Professional letters are advertised at £45 and telephone calls at £50 for 30 minutes or £80 for an hour; other session fees will be confirmed in writing before booking. These terms remain subject to applicable consumer rights and any agreed exceptions. Statutory online/distance-selling cancellation rights must be assessed separately, with the required pre-contract information and any express request to begin services within the cooling-off period.

Communication and boundaries

Email and messaging are for arrangements and brief practical updates, not emergency clinical support. Response times vary. Social media is not an appropriate route for confidential clinical information. We will explain how parents can request additional consultations and any associated fees.

Reports, records and supervision

Letters, school meetings and other additional professional work may incur an agreed charge. Requests for notes or reports are considered in line with confidentiality, child rights and data protection law. Work may be discussed in confidential professional supervision.

Review, breaks and endings

We review the usefulness of therapy, discuss planned breaks and endings and offer onward referrals where appropriate. If we consider the arrangement no longer clinically suitable, we will explain this sensitively and take reasonable steps to avoid abrupt or unsafe endings.

Acknowledgement

Before the first appointment, the responsible adult and, where appropriate, the young person should receive and have the opportunity to discuss this agreement, the Privacy Notice, safeguarding information and any service-specific terms. A separate signature/consent record should be maintained.