What is Consent?
When we work with children and families, we want to be open and honest about how and why we share information.
Consent means you agree to us gathering or sharing information about your family. Wherever possible, we will always ask for your consent first — and we’ll explain what we want to do and why.
But consent can work differently depending on the situation. Here’s what that means for you.
When We’re Offering Care and Support
In most situations – especially when we’re offering help or support – we work with your consent. This means:
- We explain what information we want to gather
- We talk through who we may need to speak to
- We check that you understand and agree
- You can ask questions or raise worries at any time
Care and support work is about partnership. We want you to feel comfortable, informed, and involved. If you’re unsure about anything, we’ll take time to explain it clearly.
When We’re Carrying Out Child Protection Work (section 47 enquiries)
Sometimes, we may receive information that suggests a child might be at risk of harm. When this happens, we have a legal duty to make sure the child is safe.
This means that in child protection situations, we may need to gather or share information without your consent. This can include:
- Speaking to other professionals
- Talking to your child
- Visiting your home
- Making safeguarding enquiries
We understand this can feel worrying, and we never take these steps lightly. If we have to act without consent, we will always explain what we are doing, why we need to do it, and what it means for you and your child.
Children and Consent
Children also have the right to have a say in decisions about them. Depending on their age, understanding, and what feels appropriate, children may be asked for their own consent. This could include:
- Agreeing to speak with us
- Sharing their thoughts or feelings
- Being part of meetings or plans
- Agreeing to certain types of support
We usually talk with you first and explain why we’d like to speak with your child. We also talk to your child in a way that is safe, supportive, and age‑appropriate. If your child is too young or doesn’t fully understand, we discuss things with you and explain how we’ll involve them safely.