Child Protection Policy

Droitwich Back & Neck Clinic is committed to providing a safe, appropriate and professional environment for children and young people attending the clinic, whether they are attending as patients or accompanying a parent, guardian or other adult.

Children and Young People Attending as Patients

Young people aged 16 or 17 are normally presumed to have sufficient capacity to consent to their own healthcare treatment unless there is reason to believe otherwise.

For patients under the age of 16, the treating chiropractor will determine whether the young person has sufficient maturity, intelligence and understanding to understand the nature, purpose, benefits, risks and implications of the proposed care and therefore has the ability to provide valid consent (commonly referred to as Gillick competence).

Where the chiropractor considers an under-16 patient to be sufficiently competent, the young person may sign their own consent documentation and, where the chiropractor considers it appropriate, may attend appointments without a parent or guardian being present.

Where an under-16 patient is not considered sufficiently competent to provide their own consent, consent must be obtained from a person with parental responsibility.

As an additional clinic safeguarding policy, children aged 13 and under must always attend the clinic with a parent, guardian or other responsible adult and must be accompanied by that adult in the treatment room.

For patients under 16, even where the young person is considered competent to provide their own consent, Droitwich Back & Neck Clinic reserves the right to require a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult to be present where the chiropractor considers this appropriate for the young person’s welfare, safeguarding or the circumstances of their care.

Children Accompanying Adult Patients

Parents and guardians are responsible for the care, behaviour and supervision of any children they bring onto the clinic premises at all times.

Clinic staff do not provide childcare or supervision of children in the reception or waiting area while a parent or guardian is receiving treatment.

A parent or guardian may leave a child in the reception area during their own appointment only where they are satisfied that the child is sufficiently mature and responsible to remain there safely without supervision. The child remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian throughout this time and is not under the supervision of clinic staff.

Where a child cannot safely and appropriately remain in the reception area independently, they must accompany their parent or guardian into the treatment room.

Parents and guardians should ensure that children do not interfere with clinic equipment, enter clinical or staff areas without permission, or behave in a way that could place themselves, another patient or another person at risk.

If clinic staff believe that a child has been left in circumstances that are unsafe or inappropriate, the parent or guardian may be asked to keep the child with them or make alternative arrangements.

Safeguarding

The welfare and safety of children and young people attending the clinic is paramount. Any concerns regarding the welfare, safety, abuse or neglect of a child will be dealt with in accordance with the clinic’s safeguarding procedures and the chiropractor’s professional and legal responsibilities.

Where there is a safeguarding concern, information may be shared with the appropriate authorities or safeguarding professionals where this is necessary or legally required to protect the child.

Information Provided at Booking

Patients will be informed when booking that:

Any children brought to Droitwich Back & Neck Clinic remain the responsibility of the parent or guardian bringing them. The clinic does not provide supervision or childcare for children while parents or guardians are receiving treatment.

By bringing a child onto the clinic premises, the accompanying parent or guardian accepts responsibility for the child’s supervision and safety in accordance with this policy.