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The Institute For Youth Worth COde of Ethics

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The Institute For Youth Worth COde of Ethics

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The Teachers survey

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Gillick competency is often used in a wider context to help assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and to understand the implications of those decisions.

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Introduction

Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines help people who work with children to balance the need to listen to children's wishes with the responsibility to keep them safe.

When practitioners are trying to decide whether a child is mature enough to make decisions about things that affect them, they often talk about whether the child is 'Gillick competent' or whether they meet the 'Fraser guidelines'.

Although the two terms are frequently used together and originate from the same legal case, there are distinct differences between them.

Both Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines refer to a legal case from the 1980s which looked at whether doctors should be able to give contraceptive advice or treatment to young people under 16-years-old without parental consent.

Applying Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines

The Fraser guidelines still apply to advice and treatment relating to contraception and sexual health. But Gillick competency is often used in a wider context to help assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and to understand the implications of those decisions.

You should always encourage a child to tell their parents or carers about the decisions they are making. If they don't want to do this, you should explore why and, if appropriate, discuss ways you could help them inform their parents or carers. For example, you could talk to the young person's parents or carers on their behalf.

If the young person still wants to go ahead without their parents' or carers' knowledge or consent, you should consider the Gillick and Fraser guidelines. The following information looks at how this can be applied in practice.

Gillick competence

Gillick competence

Gillick competency applies mainly to medical advice but it is also used by practitioners in other settings. For example, if a child or young person:

would like to have therapeutic support but doesn't want their parents or carers to know about it

is seeking confidential support for substance misuse

has strong wishes about their future living arrangements which may conflict with their parents' or carers' views.

Medical professionals need to consider Gillick competency if a young person under the age of 16 wishes to receive treatment without their parents' or carers' consent or, in some cases, knowledge.

If the young person has informed their parents of the treatment they wish to receive but their parents do not agree with their decision, treatment can still proceed if the child has been assessed as Gillick competent.

There is specific guidance for medical professionals on using Gillick competence - see case history and legislation.

Assessing Gillick competence

There is no set of defined questions to assess Gillick competency. Professionals need to consider several things when assessing a child's capacity to consent, including:

the child's age, maturity and mental capacity

their understanding of the issue and what it involves - including advantages, disadvantages and potential long-term impact

their understanding of the risks, implications and consequences that may arise from their decision

how well they understand any advice or information they have been given

their understanding of any alternative options, if available

their ability to explain a rationale around their reasoning and decision making.

Remember that consent is not valid if a young person is being pressured or influenced by someone else.

Children's capacity to consent may be affected by different factors, for example stress, mental health conditions and the complexities of the decision they are making. The same child may be considered Gillick competent to make one decision but not competent to make a different decision.

If you don't think a child is Gillick competent or there are inconsistencies in their understanding, you should seek consent from their parents or carers before proceeding.

In complex medical cases, such as those involving disagreements about treatment, you may wish to seek the opinion of a colleague about a child's capacity to consent (Care Quality Commission, 2019).

Young people also have the right to seek a second opinion from another medical professional (General Medical Council, 2020).

Refusal of medical treatment

Gillick competency can be used when young people wish to refuse medical treatment.

However, if a young person refuses treatment which may lead to their death or severe permanent harm, their decision can be overruled. More information about this is available in the guidance for medical professionals in each UK nation - see case history and legislation.

Child protection concerns

The child's safety and wellbeing is paramount.

When you are assessing Gillick competency if you have any concerns about the safety of the young person you should check whether previous child protection concerns have been raised, and explore any factors that could put them at risk of abuse.

You must always share child protection concerns with the relevant agencies, even if this goes against a child's wishes.
> Find out more about recognising and responding to abuse

Fraser guidelines

Fraser guidelines

The Fraser guidelines apply specifically to advice and treatment about contraception and sexual health. They may be used by a range of healthcare professionals working with under 16-year-olds, including doctors and nurse practitioners.

Following a legal ruling in 2006, Fraser guidelines can also be applied to advice and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and the termination of pregnancy (Axton v The Secretary of State for Health, 2006).

Using the Fraser guidelines

Practitioners using the Fraser guidelines should be satisfied of the following:

the young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents or carers that they are seeking this advice or treatment (or to allow the practitioner to inform their parents or carers).

the young person understands the advice being given.

the young person's physical or mental health or both are likely to suffer unless they receive the advice or treatment.

it is in the young person's best interests to receive the advice, treatment or both without their parents' or carers' consent.

the young person is very likely to continue having sex with or without contraceptive treatment.

(Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985)

Child protection concerns

When using Fraser guidelines for issues relating to sexual health, you should always consider any potential child protection concerns:

Underage sexual activity is a possible indicator of child sexual exploitation and children who have been groomed may not realise they are being abused.

Sexual activity with a child under 13 should always result in a child protection referral.

If a young person presents repeatedly about sexually transmitted infections or the termination of pregnancy this may be an indicator of child sexual abuse or exploitation.

You should always consider any previous concerns that may have been raised about the young person and explore whether there are any factors that may present a risk to their safety and wellbeing.

You must always share child protection concerns with the relevant agencies, even if a child or young person asks you not to.

> Find out more about recognising and responding to abuse

Case history, legislation and guidance

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority 1986

In 1982 Victoria Gillick took her local health authority (West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority) and the Department of Health and Social Security to court in an attempt to stop doctors from giving contraceptive advice or treatment to under 16-year-olds without parental consent.

The case went to the High Court in 1984 where Mr Justice Woolf dismissed Mrs Gillick's claims. The Court of Appeal reversed this decision, but in 1985 it went to the House of Lords and the Law Lords (Lord Scarman, Lord Fraser and Lord Bridge) ruled in favour of the original judgment delivered by Mr Justice Woolf:

"...whether or not a child is capable of giving the necessary consent will depend on the child's maturity and understanding and the nature of the consent required. The child must be capable of making a reasonable assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment proposed, so the consent, if given, can be properly and fairly described as true consent" (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1984).

What are the Fraser guidelines?

The Fraser guidelines refer to the guidelines set out by Lord Fraser in his judgment of the Gillick case in the House of Lords (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985), which apply specifically to contraceptive advice.

Lord Fraser stated that a doctor should always encourage a girl aged under 16 to inform her parents or carers that she is seeking contraceptive advice (or allow the doctor to inform the parents or carers on her behalf). But if she cannot be persuaded to do so they can proceed to give contraceptive advice and treatment as long as certain conditions are met. This includes making sure it's in the girl's best interests for advice to be given and that she understands the advice.
> Find out more about using the Fraser guidelines
What is Gillick competence?

Lord Scarman's comments in his judgment of the Gillick case in the House of Lords (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985) are often referred to as the test of "Gillick competency". He said:

"...it is not enough that she should understand the nature of the advice which is being given: she must also have a sufficient maturity to understand what is involved."

He also commented more generally on parents' versus children's rights:

"parental right yields to the child's right to make his own decisions when he reaches a sufficient understanding and intelligence to be capable of making up his own mind on the matter requiring decision."
> Find out more about assessing Gillick competency
Legislation and guidance

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority went to the House of Lords and is often used as a legal precedent across the UK.

In Scotland, the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 sets out when children have the legal capacity to make decisions. Section 2 sets out when a child under the age of 16 can consent to medical treatment or procedures.

Medical guidance

In England, the Department of Health and Social Care provides guidance for medical professionals on the legal framework they need to consider when obtaining valid consent to examination, treatment or care (Department of Health and Social Care, 2009).

In Northern Ireland the Department of Health provides consent guides for healthcare professionals (Department of Health, 2003).

In Scotland the NHS has provided a good practice guide on consent for health professionals (PDF) (Scottish Executive Health Department, 2006).

References and resources

References and resources

Axton v The Secretary of State for Health (The Family Planning Association: intervening) (2006) EWHC 37. As cited in Family Law Week.

Care Quality Commission (2019). Brief guide: capacity and competence to consent in under 18s (PDF). Care Quality Commission.

Department of Health (2003). Consent guides for healthcare professionals. [Accessed 02/02/2020].

Department of Health and Social Care (2009) Reference guide to consent for examination or treatment (second edition). London: Department of Health and Social Care.

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority and Department of Health and Social Security [1984] Q.B. 581. As cited in Children's Legal Centre (1985) Landmark decision for children's rights. Childright, 22: 11-18.

Gillick v West Norfolk & Wisbech Area Health Authority, UKHL 7 (17 October 1985) Available via (BAILII) in The law reports (appeal cases) [1986] AC 112.

Scottish Executive Health Department (2006). A good practice guide on consent for health professionals in NHS Scotland (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Executive

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about children's rights on the Childline website.

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Elearning

Our online and face-to-face training courses can help develop your understanding of how to protect children from abuse and safely recruit staff and volunteers to work with children:

Further reading

For further reading about Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "Gillick competency" and "Fraser guidelines".
> Find out more about the Library and Information Service

Introduction

Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines help people who work with children to balance the need to listen to children's wishes with the responsibility to keep them safe.

When practitioners are trying to decide whether a child is mature enough to make decisions about things that affect them, they often talk about whether the child is 'Gillick competent' or whether they meet the 'Fraser guidelines'.

Although the two terms are frequently used together and originate from the same legal case, there are distinct differences between them.

Both Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines refer to a legal case from the 1980s which looked at whether doctors should be able to give contraceptive advice or treatment to young people under 16-years-old without parental consent.

Applying Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines

The Fraser guidelines still apply to advice and treatment relating to contraception and sexual health. But Gillick competency is often used in a wider context to help assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and to understand the implications of those decisions.

You should always encourage a child to tell their parents or carers about the decisions they are making. If they don't want to do this, you should explore why and, if appropriate, discuss ways you could help them inform their parents or carers. For example, you could talk to the young person's parents or carers on their behalf.

If the young person still wants to go ahead without their parents' or carers' knowledge or consent, you should consider the Gillick and Fraser guidelines. The following information looks at how this can be applied in practice.

Gillick competence

Gillick competence

Gillick competency applies mainly to medical advice but it is also used by practitioners in other settings. For example, if a child or young person:

would like to have therapeutic support but doesn't want their parents or carers to know about it

is seeking confidential support for substance misuse

has strong wishes about their future living arrangements which may conflict with their parents' or carers' views.

Medical professionals need to consider Gillick competency if a young person under the age of 16 wishes to receive treatment without their parents' or carers' consent or, in some cases, knowledge.

If the young person has informed their parents of the treatment they wish to receive but their parents do not agree with their decision, treatment can still proceed if the child has been assessed as Gillick competent.

There is specific guidance for medical professionals on using Gillick competence - see case history and legislation.

Assessing Gillick competence

There is no set of defined questions to assess Gillick competency. Professionals need to consider several things when assessing a child's capacity to consent, including:

the child's age, maturity and mental capacity

their understanding of the issue and what it involves - including advantages, disadvantages and potential long-term impact

their understanding of the risks, implications and consequences that may arise from their decision

how well they understand any advice or information they have been given

their understanding of any alternative options, if available

their ability to explain a rationale around their reasoning and decision making.

Remember that consent is not valid if a young person is being pressured or influenced by someone else.

Children's capacity to consent may be affected by different factors, for example stress, mental health conditions and the complexities of the decision they are making. The same child may be considered Gillick competent to make one decision but not competent to make a different decision.

If you don't think a child is Gillick competent or there are inconsistencies in their understanding, you should seek consent from their parents or carers before proceeding.

In complex medical cases, such as those involving disagreements about treatment, you may wish to seek the opinion of a colleague about a child's capacity to consent (Care Quality Commission, 2019).

Young people also have the right to seek a second opinion from another medical professional (General Medical Council, 2020).

Refusal of medical treatment

Gillick competency can be used when young people wish to refuse medical treatment.

However, if a young person refuses treatment which may lead to their death or severe permanent harm, their decision can be overruled. More information about this is available in the guidance for medical professionals in each UK nation - see case history and legislation.

Child protection concerns

The child's safety and wellbeing is paramount.

When you are assessing Gillick competency if you have any concerns about the safety of the young person you should check whether previous child protection concerns have been raised, and explore any factors that could put them at risk of abuse.

You must always share child protection concerns with the relevant agencies, even if this goes against a child's wishes.
> Find out more about recognising and responding to abuse

Fraser guidelines

Fraser guidelines

The Fraser guidelines apply specifically to advice and treatment about contraception and sexual health. They may be used by a range of healthcare professionals working with under 16-year-olds, including doctors and nurse practitioners.

Following a legal ruling in 2006, Fraser guidelines can also be applied to advice and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and the termination of pregnancy (Axton v The Secretary of State for Health, 2006).

Using the Fraser guidelines

Practitioners using the Fraser guidelines should be satisfied of the following:

the young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents or carers that they are seeking this advice or treatment (or to allow the practitioner to inform their parents or carers).

the young person understands the advice being given.

the young person's physical or mental health or both are likely to suffer unless they receive the advice or treatment.

it is in the young person's best interests to receive the advice, treatment or both without their parents' or carers' consent.

the young person is very likely to continue having sex with or without contraceptive treatment.

(Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985)

Child protection concerns

When using Fraser guidelines for issues relating to sexual health, you should always consider any potential child protection concerns:

Underage sexual activity is a possible indicator of child sexual exploitation and children who have been groomed may not realise they are being abused.

Sexual activity with a child under 13 should always result in a child protection referral.

If a young person presents repeatedly about sexually transmitted infections or the termination of pregnancy this may be an indicator of child sexual abuse or exploitation.

You should always consider any previous concerns that may have been raised about the young person and explore whether there are any factors that may present a risk to their safety and wellbeing.

You must always share child protection concerns with the relevant agencies, even if a child or young person asks you not to.

> Find out more about recognising and responding to abuse

Case history, legislation and guidance

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority 1986

In 1982 Victoria Gillick took her local health authority (West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority) and the Department of Health and Social Security to court in an attempt to stop doctors from giving contraceptive advice or treatment to under 16-year-olds without parental consent.

The case went to the High Court in 1984 where Mr Justice Woolf dismissed Mrs Gillick's claims. The Court of Appeal reversed this decision, but in 1985 it went to the House of Lords and the Law Lords (Lord Scarman, Lord Fraser and Lord Bridge) ruled in favour of the original judgment delivered by Mr Justice Woolf:

"...whether or not a child is capable of giving the necessary consent will depend on the child's maturity and understanding and the nature of the consent required. The child must be capable of making a reasonable assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment proposed, so the consent, if given, can be properly and fairly described as true consent" (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1984).

What are the Fraser guidelines?

The Fraser guidelines refer to the guidelines set out by Lord Fraser in his judgment of the Gillick case in the House of Lords (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985), which apply specifically to contraceptive advice.

Lord Fraser stated that a doctor should always encourage a girl aged under 16 to inform her parents or carers that she is seeking contraceptive advice (or allow the doctor to inform the parents or carers on her behalf). But if she cannot be persuaded to do so they can proceed to give contraceptive advice and treatment as long as certain conditions are met. This includes making sure it's in the girl's best interests for advice to be given and that she understands the advice.
> Find out more about using the Fraser guidelines
What is Gillick competence?

Lord Scarman's comments in his judgment of the Gillick case in the House of Lords (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985) are often referred to as the test of "Gillick competency". He said:

"...it is not enough that she should understand the nature of the advice which is being given: she must also have a sufficient maturity to understand what is involved."

He also commented more generally on parents' versus children's rights:

"parental right yields to the child's right to make his own decisions when he reaches a sufficient understanding and intelligence to be capable of making up his own mind on the matter requiring decision."
> Find out more about assessing Gillick competency
Legislation and guidance

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority went to the House of Lords and is often used as a legal precedent across the UK.

In Scotland, the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 sets out when children have the legal capacity to make decisions. Section 2 sets out when a child under the age of 16 can consent to medical treatment or procedures.

Medical guidance

In England, the Department of Health and Social Care provides guidance for medical professionals on the legal framework they need to consider when obtaining valid consent to examination, treatment or care (Department of Health and Social Care, 2009).

In Northern Ireland the Department of Health provides consent guides for healthcare professionals (Department of Health, 2003).

In Scotland the NHS has provided a good practice guide on consent for health professionals (PDF) (Scottish Executive Health Department, 2006).

References and resources

References and resources

Axton v The Secretary of State for Health (The Family Planning Association: intervening) (2006) EWHC 37. As cited in Family Law Week.

Care Quality Commission (2019). Brief guide: capacity and competence to consent in under 18s (PDF). Care Quality Commission.

Department of Health (2003). Consent guides for healthcare professionals. [Accessed 02/02/2020].

Department of Health and Social Care (2009) Reference guide to consent for examination or treatment (second edition). London: Department of Health and Social Care.

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority and Department of Health and Social Security [1984] Q.B. 581. As cited in Children's Legal Centre (1985) Landmark decision for children's rights. Childright, 22: 11-18.

Gillick v West Norfolk & Wisbech Area Health Authority, UKHL 7 (17 October 1985) Available via (BAILII) in The law reports (appeal cases) [1986] AC 112.

Scottish Executive Health Department (2006). A good practice guide on consent for health professionals in NHS Scotland (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Executive

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about children's rights on the Childline website.

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Elearning

Our online and face-to-face training courses can help develop your understanding of how to protect children from abuse and safely recruit staff and volunteers to work with children:

Further reading

For further reading about Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "Gillick competency" and "Fraser guidelines".
> Find out more about the Library and Information Service

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Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines | NSPCC Learning

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Gillick competency is often used to assess whether a child is mature enough to consent to treatment. Fraser guidelines are used for issues relating to sexual health.

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Polyvictimisation - Multiples exposures to Trauma 

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Polyvictimisation - Multiples exposures to Trauma 

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Harringay Council have put togther a useful resource for teachers and professionals.

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Our Good Childhood Report 2022 shows the latest trends in children's wellbeing. Our research seeks to understand how young people feel about different aspects of their lives. This year we've found that school, friendships and appearance continue to cause the greatest dissatisfaction in adolescence.

The Children's Society

77 pages

The state of children's wellbeing in 2022

Our Good Childhood report 2022 has revealed a deeply concerning continuing decline in children's wellbeing.
This year's report shows that around 1 in 16 children (6%) aged 10 to 15 in the UK are unhappy with their lives, and almost 1 in 8 (12%), an estimated 562,000 of 10-15 year olds, are unhappy with school.

The report has been published in a period of unprecedented uncertainty for children, young people and families in the UK, as society continues to find its way through new Covid variants, a cost-of-living crisis, and the impact of global events such as the war in Ukraine.

Yet, none of these circumstances can excuse the harmful downward trend in young people's happiness shown in the report.

Measuring children's wellbeing is essential to understanding how children feel about their wellbeing as a whole, and about specific aspects of their lives. It can help highlight issues faced by young people and identify groups in need of our support. The understanding from their insights is crucial in developing powerful responses to help improve things for children and young people.

Wellbeing 'is about "how we are doing" as individuals, communities and as a nation and how sustainable this is for the future.' (What Works Centre for Wellbeing, 2022)

What does the report reveal?

As expected, the current cost of living crisis is having a significant effect on families, with 85% of parents and carers surveyed in 2022 saying they are concerned about how it will affect their families in the next year, especially as over a third of parents and carers reported they already struggled with costs of school trips and uniform over the last year.

The report also reveals that girls are significantly more unhappy with their appearance than boys, with almost 1 in 5 (18%) - the equivalent of an estimated 411,000 of 10-15-year-old girls unhappy with their looks compared to 10% of boys. This is a worrying jump for girls from 1 in 7 (15%) being unhappy with their appearance ten years ago.

The pandemic's damaging impact is laid bare, with 1 in 9 children (11% aged 10 to 17) saying they did not cope overall with changes due to Coronavirus, despite many of the restrictions being lifted when the survey was taken. Months of lost learning, facing in-person exams for the first time and mounting pressure could all have had a detrimental effect on children's wellbeing.
As a society we're all gravely concerned. We owe it to this generation and the next to take action right away.
The continuing trend revealed by the report is hugely concerning. This year's report explores young people's experiences of school, with an unacceptably large proportion of the classroom unhappy with school and thousands of girls unhappy with the way they look. We know that schools are a vital setting to support young people and improve their wellbeing, but schools need more support.

How can we help?

We're a caring and concerned society. It's natural for us to want to improve young people's life chances. But what do we need do to? Well, we need a holistic response that helps support young people at home, in education and in the community.

At schools we need to see a faster rollout of mental health support teams, alongside early support hubs in every community so that no young person has to wait for the help they deserve.

We need more support for those families hardest hit by the added pressures of increasing costs:

We need a permanent boost to the social security lifeline, to protect children from the cost-of-living crisis; including a significant increase in child benefit payments

We need to extend help with school lunches and make free school meals available to every child whose family is supported by Universal Credit.

No child should suffer without support. Every child deserves a good childhood with access to the help they need.
This year's report confirms a continuing horrifying trend. Young people's wellbeing has got significantly worse over the last decade. This is simply unacceptable. The impact of this will be felt for generations unless we act without delay. Decision makers must act now so that all children can thrive, be healthy, and reach their full potential.

Download the summary reports

Download the full report at the top, or download the summary reports here:

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The Good Childhood Report 2022 found that school, friendships and appearance continue to cause the greatest dissatisfaction in adolescence.

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Motivational Interviewing Strategies & Skills

The Motivational Interviewing (MI) style, strategies and skills have been used to address a wide range of challenges, including those very tough conversations in which there seems little hope of making progress in helping people. They can also be used to enhance your ability to listen with skill in any situation, and to help people, young and old, to adapt and to develop their potential. MI is not a technique done to or on people, or even worse, a method for getting people to do what they otherwise would not wish to do. It is used with them, on their behalf. Learning MI is a challenging and enjoyable journey, and it changes you.

Among the skills you develop is an ability to de-clutter your mind and be curious about the person you are speaking to. Listening in this way can become an art form, in which you notice the language of change people use, and encourage them to face uncertainty, and to make decisions and plans that express their values and dreams for a more balanced life. This is a culturally adaptable approach and can be used in very brief conversations. It is linked to and founded in the well-known style of a guide, and is being learned in over 50 languages around the world. There is a large international network of trainers.

See the Motivational Interviewing website for trainers who volunteer their time to improve training and practice.

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Learn more about Motivational Interviewing, a particular way of conducting conversations about change to strengthen clients' motivation and commitment.

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Teapot Trust is at the forefront of transformative mental health support for children, young people and families living with chronic conditions

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mental health art therapy charity for children with chronic conditions

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Teapot Trust is a mental health charity that provides support for children and families coping with chronic conditions by providing art therapy.

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Help young people express themselves in a creative way

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Act CIC: Gangs & Youth Violence Specialists

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Act CIC: Gangs & Youth Violence Specialists

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ACT is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with the commitment to support young people to engage, learn, and make positive transitions that will inspire them to achieve their full potentials.

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Previous Next ARE YOU A... SCHOOL How ACT support Schools More info ORGANISATIONS How ACT support organisations More info COMMUNITY How ACT supports the community More info WHAT WE DO ACT is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with the commitment to support young people to engage, learn, and make positive transitions that will inspire them [...]

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We improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through our network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Our goal is to make sure everyone severely affected by mental illness has a good quality of life.

Get advice and information

About mental illness

1 in 4 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. People can, and often do, recover with the right treatment and support. Our advice and information pages can help you learn more about conditions, symptoms and diagnoses, so you or a loved one can get the help you need.

Living with mental illness

Living with a mental illness should not be a barrier to a good quality of life. Our advice and information pages contain all you need to know about getting the proper treatment and support for you or a loved one and what you can do if you feel the help you are getting is not right.

Rights and restrictions

If you experience mental illness or care for someone who does, it is essential to know your rights. Our information pages has advice on mental health laws, rights and restrictions, social care, welfare, and resources about the police, courts & prison service.

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No matter how bad things are, we can help.

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1 in 4 people will be affected by a mental health problem in their lifetime - we are here to support them when they do.

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Analysis from the Centre for Mental Health has shown that 1.5 million children and young people will need mental health support as a direct result of the pandemic over the next three to five years.

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Analysis from the Centre for Mental Health has shown that 1.5 million children and young people will need mental health support as a direct result of the pandemic over the next three to five years.

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Rethink Mental Health: Mental Health Advocacy 

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Rethink Mental Health: Mental Health Advocacy 

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How advocacy can help people living with mental illness

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Find out what advocates do, and how they can help you to express your concerns, get information and explore options for moving forward.

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Homework week 1

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A video from Dr Andrew Curran, a top Neurobiologist, who gives a powerful insight into the development of a young person's brain.

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..The Next Pandemic?

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Therap y is an important tool for navigating your emotional health, but there are barriers of entry for black men. These range from affordability to cultural stigmas such as "keeping personal problems inside of the family" - hard when some emotional issues stem from family issues - as well as the expectation to be strong and resilient enough to not need mental health support. Phillips doesn't think it's the only answer, but it's a better start than some might think. "How therapy is taught in the West, and how it's delivered to people, is very Eurocentric, but it's not a new thing for black people. Black people can benefit from therapy, but it's the way it's delivered that matters."

Community organisations are especially important when it comes to bridging the gap. In London's Kensington And Chelsea there is African-centred mental health support via places such as The Oremi Centre. They work as advocates for black patients seeking mental health support from doctors and other professionals who may not have the cultural know-how to handle their specific needs. Frontline Therapy, run by mental health practitioner Esther Sherato, is also dedicated to providing talking therapies for black and Asian people at affordable prices by using trainee counsellors and psychotherapists. Additionally, Black Minds Matter, cofounded by Agnes Mwakatuma and Annie Nash, are collating a directory and service that connects black people with free mental health services.

"The change during Covid-19, to me, has been largely positive," concluded Phillips. "We are developing connections with more black people across the world. It's been far more possible for us to come together as a community, to better understand our needs." The next step, he said, is for the way mental health support is viewed by black men to shift.

Akinsete agreed: the people in the highest levels of British healthcare are white, while the lower levels are non-white. There needs to be people representative of the country in these places to provide care for disadvantaged communities. "Something needs to happen in the system. Across the board, the barriers to entry, racist policies and practices that can lead to misdiagnosing mental health issues for black people and more [need] to change," he said. "If they don't, all they're doing is perpetuating the system."
Now is a bad time to be a racist statue
A photographer captures the George Floyd protests in Los Angeles, before being arrested
Take down these statues, but don't do Boris Johnson's job for him

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Black men's mental health is the next pandemic

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If you were to pause and look at the world today, you would see why a lot of black men lose sleep. This year alone we have seen the killings of black men go viral and reports of how the coronavirus has disproportionately affected black people more than any race

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Black Men Have A Legitimate Reason To Run From The Police

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Black Men Have A Legitimate Reason To Run From The Police

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Black men running from police have a legitimate reason to do so, a supreme court in the US has ruled.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled threw out the 2011 gun conviction of Jimmy Warren after ruling police did not have a legitimate reason to stop him and the fact he ran away should not be used against him.

In doing so, the court cited police data and a 2014 report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) which found black men were disproportionately likely to be stopped by police in Boston

It comes as a state of emergency was declared in Charlotte, North Carolina, following two nights of riots after police shot and killed a disabled black man, Keith Lamont Scott.

At least one person has been shot in clashes with riot police as the National Guard and State Troopers were deployed to restore calm.

Mr Warren was arrested in December 2011 by police investigating a break-in in the Roxbury neighbourhood of the city.

Officers had been given the description of three black men - one wearing a "red hoodie", one wearing a "black hoodie" and the other wearing "dark clothing" - suspected of being involved.

An officer then spotted Mr Warren and another man - who were both wearing dark clothing - walking near a park a few hours later who both ran when officers approached them.

Mr Warren was later arrested and searched. Officers found nothing illegal on him but recovered an unlicensed gun in a nearby backgarden.

He was later charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm and convicted, Boston radio station WBUR reported.

But the court has now quashed the conviction, saying the description of the break-in suspects' clothing was too "vague" to justify targeting any black man with dark clothing.

It ruled that even if someone flees it does not necessarily mean they are guilty.

The court said: "We do not eliminate flight as a factor in the reasonable suspicion analysis whenever a black male is the subject of an investigatory stop.

"However, in such circumstances, flight is not necessarily probative of a suspect's state of mind or consciousness of guilt. August:

"Rather, the finding that black males in Boston are disproportionately and repeatedly targeted for FIO [Field Interrogation and Observation] encounters suggests a reason for flight totally unrelated to consciousness of guilt.

"Given this reality for black males in the city of Boston, a judge should, in appropriate cases, consider the report's findings in weighing flight as a factor in the reasonable suspicion calculus."

The 2014 ACLU report found that black men in Boston were subject to 63 per cent of police's stop and searches despite only making up 24 per cent of the population.

Matthew Segal, the legal director of the ACLU in Massachusetts, said it was a "powerful ruling" for ethnic minorities.

He said: "The state's highest court, in talking about people of colour, it's saying that their lives matter and under the law, their views matter.

"The reason that's significant is that all the time in police-civilian encounters there are disputes about what is suspicious and what is not suspicious.

"So this is an opinion that looks at those encounters through the eyes of a black man who might justifiably be concerned that he will be the victim of profiling."

It comes as the Black Lives Matter movement grows in momentum after a year of high profile killings of black men by white police officers across the US.

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Black men have legitimate reason to run from police, Supreme Court rules

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Black men running from police have a legitimate reason to do so, a supreme court in the US has ruled. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled threw out the 2011 gun conviction of Jimmy Warren after ruling police did not have a legitimate reason to stop him and the fact he ran away should not be used against him.

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Akala Expands On Mental Health & Depression In music

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Akala "Mental Health And Depression In Music" #INTROSPECTION (@AmaruDonTV)

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October 29, 2019
This Suicide Prevention Toolkit, helps senior leaders, line managers, HR and occupational health professionals identify staff members who may have suicidal feelings and gives practical advice on how to deal with a crisis situation. It was produced in partnership with Public Health England and supported by Samaritans. This toolkit will help embed suicide prevention strategies in your organisation’s health and wellbeing policies, guide your approach to supporting those at risk and act as a resource to provide support across your workforce.

Key elements of a workplace suicide prevention programme might include

A work environment that values its employees and their families, and promotes respect, open communication, a sense of belonging, emotional wellbeing, and encourages people to seek help when they need it and to support each other.

A plan for responding to a suicide attempt or death.

Helplines with national reach and issue focus are signposted across the workplace, such as Samaritans and national domestic violence helplines.

Specialised suicide awareness and prevention training for the workplace’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providers and/or HR staff.

Clear policies, procedures and practical guidance to help employees who need support around issues including mental health, long-term health, domestic violence and financial insecurity.

Internal communications and induction programmes that ensure employee are aware of resources and support available and that these are accessible to everyone.

Education and training on mental health, including suicide awareness, for all employees especially line managers

Employers have a crucial role to play in suicide prevention. People in work spend about one-third of their lives at their place of employment. Colleagues and line managers can provide an important social and emotional support network, built on shared experiences. Employers are in a unique position to help colleagues understand the importance of wellbeing and good mental health, and the knowledge of how to keep safe and well and how to spot the signs of being unwell.

This toolkit is designed to help organisations adopt a strategy to reduce the risk of a suicide that will have an impact on the workplace. In this context, the term ‘workplace suicide’ is understood to be a suicide in or outside the workplace, which may involve an employee or contractor, or a family member or close friend of an employee or contractor. It may also concern a significant customer or supplier, or a person who is important to the organisation, such as a union representative.

View and download the other seven toolkits in this series, developed in partnership with Public Health England

Mental Health at Work

The Mental Health For Employers Toolkit is Business in the Community’s flagship publication and helps employers pick out the most valuable resources relating to mental health and develop an approach to a healthy workplace that really works.

Musculoskeletal Health (MSK): A toolkit for Employers

Musculoskeletal Health: A Toolkit for Employers
Good musculoskeletal (MSK) health is integral to a full working life. It supports us with functional mobility and dexterity, balance and coordination, and contributes to muscular strength and endurance; essential to nearly all forms of work. It also enables us to stay physically and mentally fit and reduce the occurrence of other health problems. Action should be taken at all ages to invest in enhancing education, awareness and opportunities to engage in understanding good MSK health and how to reduce the risks of developing an MSK problem.

Sleep and Recovery Toolkit

Sleep and Recovery Toolkit. This toolkit sponsored by Anglian Water, offers insight and advice on addressing the increasingly damaging sleep-loss epidemic affecting the nation.

LEARN MORE
Business in the Community is creating a
skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow.

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This suicide prevention toolkit helps identify staff members who may have suicidal feelings and gives practical advice on dealing with a crisis situation.

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How many people rely on YOU being well?

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Burnout is real

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Guide for professionals

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Getting Back to You

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The Great Exchange

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County lines gangs have adapted to Covid-19, changing locations and grooming new recruits, a report by the National Youth Agency (NYA) warns.

Frontline youth workers have shared concerns as part of the "Hidden in Plain Sight" report, which include fears that the closure of many diversionary projects and specialist services aimed at helping young people exit gangs safely could lead to an increase in young people coerced into criminal activity.

The report states: "Lockdown has allowed street gangs to locate their targets much more easily as they know they will be either at home or close to a family address."

"There are issues emerging around vulnerable young people during lockdown who are in unsafe environments and at greater risk from gang-associated activity. Whereas groomers find it easy to show young people the path they can take and its immediate reward - such as buying a new pair of trainers or drugs - in contrast, families and youth workers are struggling to compete.

"They are working with reduced services, youth centre closures and the prospect of a summer ahead with fewer residential opportunities, family outings and places to go. Social distancing has also led to a lack of visible positive, aspirational figures for young people in their own communities," it adds.

Leigh Middleton, NYA chief executive, said: "More young people are in potentially unsafe environments with little or no contact and limited access to support services during lockdown.

"Just at the time when they are needed the most, many youth work projects stopped or became severely restricted due to Covid-19. Now is the time for more youth work, not less."

Further concerns have been raised about how online activity is stoking gang violence and fears for an increase in gang activity and child criminal exploitation post-lockdown.

The report says that social media channels including Instagram, Snapchat and the increasingly popular House Party app are being used to incite gang violence.

The report highlights Birmingham as an area where this form of "taunting" is prevalent.

It states: "It has been reported in some areas, including Birmingham, that these channels are being used to taunt or trap rivals and, in many cases, to incite violence - including one case of a shooting as a direct result of street gangs using social media.

"Where youth work has been digitised through lockdown, online contact has worked well for those whose relationships were already established; however, it is more challenging for work that is starting remotely to reach 'new' young people. There are concerns around increased online exploitation, including through sharing of images," the report adds.

It also highlights concerns in some areas of an increased number of at-risk children slipping under radar of authorities or going missing due to lockdown.

"There is anecdotal evidence from a small sample of local authorities that less supervision of young people and staffing difficulties in care homes may lead to missing potential and actual incidences of child exploitation, exacerbated by a sharp increase in the use of online platforms and social media," according to the report.

"Some are in unstable foster care placements or homes where domestic violence occurs or where parents are dealing drugs themselves, and there is a heightened risk of relationships breaking down and young people leaving home. In Thames Valley, the number of reports of 'missing' young people has reduced, but looked-after children are often still 'staying out' and now without regular contact with social workers or police," it adds.

The NYA is calling on the government to classify youth services as an essential service and give youth workers key worker status in a bid to tackle these issues.

It is also asking for clear Home Office guidance to embed youth services in Violence Reduction Units and other agencies and for the government to create a Youth Service Guarantee, recommended by the home affairs select committee, to secure long-term funding and greatly increase the number of youth workers.

The report comes as the Metropolitan Police announced an extension of its crackdown on county lines drugs gangs - named Operation Orochi.

It will use £5m of Home Office funding to extend the programme for a further 12 months with the aim of convicting a further 210 known county lines drug dealers across the UK.

Natasha Chopra, Greater London service manager for The Children's Society's disrupting exploitation programme, said: "Being exploited to deal drugs in county lines operations has a devastating impact upon young people and puts them at real risk of terrifying violence and trauma.

"The criminals grooming them have not shut down their operations due to the lockdown but are instead adapting their tactics and young people we support have continued to go missing from home.

"We welcome the Met's progress in tackling the issue and their focus on going after those who are grooming vulnerable children. However, we know that some line-holders are themselves young people who are being exploited, or young adults who were previously groomed and felt pressured to try to rise through the ranks to survive.

"That's why it's also crucial that children at risk are identified and offered early help, and that those who are already trapped in the cycle of exploitation are recognised as victims and offered support rather than criminalised.

"We want the government to introduce a national strategy to tackle child criminal exploitation, end the current postcode lottery when it comes to supporting young victims, and give all children who have been exploited access to an independent advocate who can ensure they get the help they need.

"Many vulnerable children are still hidden from the view of professionals like social workers and teachers due to the current crisis, and we want social care and schools to work together consistently to ensure all have access to a trusted professional who can check on their well-being."

The report follows the publication last week of a serious case review into the murder of 14-year-old Jaden Moodie in London last year, who was groomed by drug dealers. In it, the review's author John Drew called for the creation of a national system for responding to exploitation of children by county lines gangs.

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County lines gangs 'adapting' to Covid-19 lockdown, new report warns

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County lines gangs have adapted to Covid-19, changing locations and grooming new recruits, a report by the National Youth Agency (NYA) warns. Frontline youth workers have shared concerns as part of the "Hidden in Plain Sight " report, which include fears that the closure of many diversionary projects and specialist services aimed at helping young people exit gangs safely could lead to an increase in young people coerced into criminal activity .

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Use the Iceberg to talk a YP through their incident. Use the other side to rewrite that incident with positive outcomes.

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Mental Health First Aid Support In Education with Andrew McBroom

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Self Harm or a bit of fun?

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Culturally Competent Responses to Serious youth Violence

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Culturally Competent Responses to Serious youth Violence

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London

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Most important if you are taking care of others

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5 Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life

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Self-care is essential for good mental and physical well-being. You cannot control everything life throws your way, but you can learn how to practice good self-care.

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A Practitioners Perspective (Craig Pinkney)