ADOLESCENT ASSESSMENT & CONSENT
Your assessment, your voice.
We welcome young people to contact us directly if they want to request an assessment. Assessment works best when young people understand what is happening and have a say in the process.
For adolescents, we work out who can give consent, how parents or carers will be involved, and how privacy will work during screening.
01 — THE QUESTION
Who gives consent for an adolescent’s assessment?
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Depending on your age, understanding and the type of assessment, you may be able to give consent for the assessment yourself. Sometimes this is called being a mature minor.
There is no single age that decides this. We will talk it through with you before assessment begins.
FOR PARENTS & CARERS
Usually, a parent or guardian will need to provide some form of consent, even if it is only financial. Even where a young person can consent for themselves, information from parents or carers can still be very helpful, particularly when we are trying to understand development over time. For some assessments, we need parental input if we are being asked to consider diagnosis.
02 — DURING SCREENING
We work this out before the assessment starts.
Who can consent
Who has the legal and practical ability to agree to the assessment.
Who is involved
Whether parents, carers, school or other people may need to provide information.
Who receives information
How feedback, reports and other information can be shared.
You do not need to work this out before contacting us.
03 — FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
What can I expect?
Your role depends on your age and understanding. Whether you can make your own decisions about assessment depends on your age, maturity, understanding and the assessment being considered.
During screening, your psychologist will first work with the person completing referral paperwork. We will then involve you or your parent or guardian as needed, depending on your age, understanding and circumstances. We will explain who can provide consent and how decisions about the assessment will be made.
If you are able to provide your own consent as a mature minor:
You can have a say in the assessment
We will explain the assessment we are recommending and why. Depending on your consent arrangements, you may be able to choose whether you want to go ahead yourself, or the decision may also involve a parent or guardian.
You have a say in who participates
We will talk with you about who may need to be involved, such as parents, carers, teachers or other professionals. Where possible, your views about who participates will be part of that decision.
You will know what may be shared
We will explain who may receive information, feedback or a report, and what the limits of confidentiality are. What can be shared will depend on your consent arrangements and the circumstances.
You can ask questions
You can ask what we are doing, why we are asking something, or what a test or questionnaire is for. We want you to understand the process and have the chance to ask questions along the way.
You can ask for changes
You can tell us if you need more time, a break, fewer forms, clearer explanations or another adjustment. We will talk with you about what can reasonably be changed while still completing the assessment properly.
You can change your mind
Consent is ongoing. You can tell us if you no longer want to do part of the assessment or want to stop. Depending on your consent arrangements, we may also need to involve a parent or guardian, and we will explain what any change means for the assessment and the conclusions we can provide.
04 — FOR PARENTS & CARERS
Parents and carers can still be an important part of assessment.
Your information can help
Developmental assessment often looks at patterns that have been present for many years.
Parents and carers may be asked about early development, behaviour, learning, health and what they have noticed at home.
Your teenager may also need privacy
As young people become more independent, they may need some parts of the assessment process to be private. We explain what can be shared, with whom, and how you will be involved before assessment begins. Adolescent privacy is respected even if you pay the bill.
05 — PRIVACY
Will you tell my parents everything?
Not necessarily.
What can be shared depends on who has provided consent, a young person’s ability to make their own decisions, and what has been agreed as part of the assessment.
Before assessment begins, we explain:
- who may receive feedback or a report
- whether information can be shared with parents, school or other professionals
- what information may remain private
- the limits of confidentiality.
There are some situations where psychologists may need to share information, including where there are serious safety concerns or where disclosure is required by law.
06 — FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS
What if my parents are separated?
We need you to let us know during screening if parents are separated, there are parenting or court orders, there is disagreement about the assessment, or someone has sole decision-making responsibility.
We may need to see relevant documents before assessment can begin.
You do not need to work out the legal position yourself before making an enquiry.
07 — WANT TO READ MORE?
Want to read more?
For young people
Want to know more about your privacy and your rights? The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) has a clear guide written for teenagers about privacy, confidentiality, having a say in your healthcare and when information may need to be shared.
Want information about your rights in the ACT? The ACT Human Rights Commission has information for teenagers about being listened to, understanding information, taking part in decisions and having your privacy respected when receiving health care in the ACT.
For parents and carers
Want to understand how consent and privacy change as teenagers get older? The Raising Children Network has a practical guide for parents and carers about growing independence, consent, confidentiality and supporting teenagers.
Want a more general overview of adolescent health privacy? The Royal Children’s Hospital also has a parent and carer guide explaining privacy, confidentiality and how young people can become more involved in decisions about their own healthcare as they get older.
08 – FEES & NEXT STEP
Not sure how consent will work?
You do not need to know before you enquire.
Tell us a little about yourself (or the young person if you are a parent/carer making the enquiry on their behalf), and the assessment you are considering.
We will work out the consent, privacy and parent or carer involvement during our screening process. We will explain likely fees before you proceed.