BMA guidance

Children and young people under 16

This toolkit sets out the legal and ethical factors doctors need to consider when providing care and treatment for children and young people under 16, such as consent, refusal of treatment, and confidentiality.

Location: UK
Audience: All doctors
Updated: Thursday 13 February 2025
Topics: Ethics
Justice scales article illustration

What you'll get from this toolkit

  • The key legal and ethical factors doctors need to consider when providing care and treatment for children and young people under 16 years old in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland
  • More detailed guidance on some of the more sensitive issues that can arise – for example, disputes, child safeguarding concerns, and access to sexual health services
  • Links to other guidance and resources from the BMA and other bodies including the General Medical Council, health departments and royal colleges

You may also be interested to see our core ethics guidance

 

How to use this toolkit

The purpose of this toolkit is not to provide definitive answers for every situation but to identify the key factors that need to be considered when decisions are made; to summarise the relevant legal considerations; and to signpost other key professional guidance. It is not a set of rules or instructions, or a substitute for careful reflection and discussion with colleagues.

Topics
  • Basic principles when treating children and young people under 16
  • Assessing competence
  • Parental responsibility
  • Consent and refusal
  • Best interests
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Dispute resolution
  • Use of restraint when providing treatment
  • Confidentiality
  • Child protection
  • Sexual activity
  • Sexual activity – additional obligations in Northern Ireland
  • Vaccination
  • Female genital mutilation
  • Non-therapeutic male circumcision
  • Compulsory treatment for a mental health condition
  • Research and innovative treatment