Child Mental Health - Compulsory treatment orders

Parents and guardians have the right to consent to the treatment of a young person in their care who is under the age of 16.

However, if a young person under 16 has the maturity to understand information about the treatment and can express their wishes, they have a right to refuse, even if their parents or guardians consent.

A Court is likely to take the young person’s views into account. Similarly, for young people aged 16 and over, the consent of a parent or guardian is not sufficient for treatment to be imposed and a young person can refuse treatment.

In this situation the parents or guardians can apply to have their teenager treated against their wishes - for further information contact Area Mental Health Services and ask about the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
 

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