Reviewed in October 2026.

Next review: October 2027.

Child-centred approach

Our first responsibility is to the child's welfare, therapeutic interests and legal rights. We remain impartial in parental disputes and do not act as an investigator, mediator, custody evaluator or advocate for one parent against another.

Checking authority and consent

At referral we ask who has parental responsibility, whether there are relevant court orders and whether any person objects to treatment. We may request documentary evidence where appropriate. We consider the child's age, understanding and Gillick competence. The law does not impose a universal requirement for every person with parental responsibility to sign consent for every intervention, but disagreements, court orders and risk may mean therapy should be paused while advice is sought.

Child assent and confidentiality

We explain therapy in age-appropriate language and seek the child's participation. The child's therapeutic disclosures are not routinely relayed verbatim to parents. We agree in advance what progress updates may be shared, with whom and in what form, subject to safeguarding and legal duties.

Separated or conflicting parents

We aim to communicate important administrative and treatment information fairly to those lawfully entitled, without promising identical access to confidential notes. We document each parent's requests, the child's views, relevant risks and our rationale. We will not use therapy to gather evidence for litigation or accept instructions to conceal a safeguarding concern.

Reports and records

School letters, clinical summaries and disclosures to third parties require an appropriate purpose and legal basis. We consider the child's rights, confidentiality, third-party data and possible consequences. We may decline requests for speculative, partisan or forensic opinions outside our role. Data access requests are assessed separately under data protection law.

Safeguarding and disputes

Allegations are recorded as allegations unless independently established. We do not assume a concern is unfounded because it arises during parental conflict. We consult safeguarding services when thresholds or uncertainty warrant it. A school's prior assessment does not remove our responsibility to assess new information or changes in risk.

Ending or transferring therapy

If parental conflict, consent uncertainty, travel burden or other factors make therapy clinically unsuitable, we explain the decision neutrally, consider the child's needs, offer appropriate onward signposting and document the rationale. Urgent safeguarding responsibilities continue.