Safeguarding Disclosure & Parental Attendance Protocol

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK

Safeguarding Disclosure & Parental Attendance Protocol

Effective Date: 1st April 2025

Review Date: 1st April 2026

Author: Clinical Governance Lead

Approved By: Managing Director

Version: 1.0

1. Purpose

This protocol sets out the requirements for parental attendance and consent during consultations and treatment planning for patients under 18 years of age, with a specific focus on safeguarding disclosure, Gillick competence, and informed decision-making. It ensures compliance with:

  • Children Act 1989 & 2004

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Gov, 2018)

  • CQC Regulation 13 – Safeguarding

  • NMC Code of Conduct (2018)

  • GMC 0–18 Years: Guidance for all doctors

  • Gillick v West Norfolk & Wisbech AHA [1985] UKHL 7

2. Scope

This protocol applies to:

  • All clinic staff involved in the care or treatment of individuals aged 13 to 17

  • All patients under 18 attending for acne or post-acne scarring treatments

  • All clinical consultations involving under-18s where safeguarding, disclosure, or consent is required

 

3. Key Principles

  • No aesthetic injectables or body contouring treatments will ever be offered to under-18s.

  • Only Mesoestetic Blemiderm chemical peels are available for active acne or post-acne scarring in patients aged 13–17, following appropriate assessment and consent.

  • All patients under 18 are regarded as vulnerable and safeguarded under statutory guidance.

 

4. Initial Consultation Protocol

4.1 Mandatory Parent/Guardian Attendance

  • A parent or legal guardian must be physically present at the initial consultation.

  • The guardian must co-sign all consent forms and provide any additional safeguarding information relevant to the patient.

  • ID verification of both the patient and guardian must be completed and recorded in Insync Consent or equivalent.

4.2 Safeguarding Checks

  • The practitioner must assess for any signs of safeguarding concern, neglect, abuse, coercion, or psychological distress.

  • Where concern exists, the consultation should be paused and escalated to the clinic’s Named Safeguarding Lead (see Section 7).

4.3 Gillick Competence Assessment

  • Where appropriate, the practitioner will assess and document the young person’s ability to understand, weigh, and retain treatment information and make an informed decision.

  • If Gillick competence is not clearly established, the parent/guardian must remain involved in all future decision-making.

  • If Gillick competence is confirmed and documented, the patient may attend follow-ups alone, with the option of parental re-involvement at any time.

 

5. Follow-Up Consultation Protocol

5.1 Solo Attendance (Where Gillick Competence is Documented)

  • Patients may attend alone for follow-up or review consultations only if Gillick competence has been formally recorded at the initial appointment.

  • Practitioners must still assess capacity and understanding at each visit.

  • Written notes must confirm the young person’s ongoing ability to provide informed consent independently.

5.2 Circumstances Requiring Guardian Re-involvement

  • Where any of the following arise, the parent/guardian must be re-involved:

    • New treatment plan or change in clinical protocol

    • Emergence of safeguarding concerns

    • Patient revokes consent or appears confused/distressed

    • Inability to communicate effectively in English without assistance

     

6. Documentation Requirements

All under-18 consultations must include:

  • Copy of patient and guardian ID stored securely

  • Gillick Competence Form (template available) – ticked and signed

  • Consent forms co-signed (initial) or solo-signed (follow-ups only)

  • Safeguarding section on clinical note template completed

  • Any disclosures logged and escalated appropriately

 

7. Safeguarding & Escalation Pathways

  • Named Safeguarding Lead: Owen Dickinson (Managing Director)

  • Deputy Lead: Appointed Nurse Prescriber (as per staff file)

  • Referral Pathways: Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Derbyshire

Any disclosure of:

  • Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

  • Neglect or exploitation

  • Forced medical decisions

  • Threats to the safety of the patient or others

…must be escalated immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and recorded in a Safeguarding Concern Form.

 

8. Training Requirements

  • All staff involved with under-18s must complete:

    • Level 2 Safeguarding Children training

    • Annual refreshers via eLearning or in-clinic CPD

    • Internal briefing on this protocol

     

9. Policy Review

This protocol will be reviewed:

  • Annually

  • Following any safeguarding incident

  • Upon changes to CQC or legislative requirements

  • When offering any new treatments to under-18s

 

Signed:

Owen Dickinson

Managing Director & Safeguarding Lead

Date: 1st April 2025