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W874 [WCAG21 2.4.1 (A)] Add a skip navigation link as the first link on the page:
If your document has structure then you should add a skip navigation link to make it easier for accessible users to get to the page's content. To ensure detection, skip navigation links should point to a <main> element, or an element with role='main'. See Understanding 2.4.1, and Skip Navigation. <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
2 P967 [WCAG21 3.1.1 (A)] Use the 'lang' attribute to denote the primary language of the document:
You should always identify the primary natural language of a document using a 'lang' attribute on the <html> element. See WCAG 2.1 HTML Technique H57. <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
3 <head>
4 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"/>
5 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 22
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
6 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 23
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <meta http-equiv="Content-Script-Type" content="text/javascript" />
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8 <title>
8 Consents and Delegated Authority | Next Stage 4Life
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22 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 5
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
23 W605 Duplicate tag found: See matching tag on line: 6
A duplicate tag has been found with the same attributes. Although this should not affect the page, it indicates that a mistake may have been made. <meta http-equiv="Content-Script-Type" content="text/javascript" />
24 W609 The 'content-type' HTTP header specifies a character set of UTF-8, which is different to the value
given here:
The 'content-type' HTTP header specifies a different character set to that specified in the tag. In this case the HTTP header takes precedence. <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
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50 <form action="search/search.html" id="cse-search-box" style="margin: 0px;">
51 I899 [WCAG21 1.3.2 (A)] Layout tables must represent their content in a meaningful sequence:
Screen readers can struggle to read out tables sensibly, so it is often better to use alternative mark-up and CSS to layout content. Try disabling the table mark-up to see if it still makes sense. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F49. <table width="97%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
52 <tr>
53 <td>
53 E885 [WCAG21 1.1.1/1.3.1/3.3.2/4.1.2 (A)] User interface controls should have a label or an accessible
name:
Associate form controls with <label> tags, or use the 'aria-label' or 'aria-labelledby' attributes to label controls where it might be confusing or not possible to use a label. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F68. <input type="text" name="zoom_query" class="search_input" size="20" id="zoom_searchbox" value="Search this
manual" onfocus="this.value=(this.value=='Search this manual') ? '' : this.value;"
onblur="this.value=(this.value=='') ? 'Search this manual' : this.value;" style="margin-right: 5px;" />
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54 <td>
54 <input type="submit" value="Go"/>
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61 <div id="container">
62 <div id="content_frame_overflow">
62 <div class="content_text">
63 <h1 class="h1">
63 Consents and Delegated Authority
63 </h1>
64 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
64 <br />
65 Contents
65 </h2>
66 <ol>
67 <li>
67 <a href="#introduction">
67 Introduction
67 </a>
67 </li>
68 <li>
68 <a href="#placement">
68 Care and Placement Planning
68 </a>
68 </li>
69 <li>
69 <a href="#views">
69 Views of the Child / Young Person
69 </a>
69 </li>
70 <li>
70 <a href="#delegation">
70 Delegation in the context of the Child's Health
70 </a>
70 </li>
71 <li>
71 <a href="#children">
71 Children who Seek Advice/Treatment Without Consulting Parents or Consent
71 </a>
71 </li>
72 </ol>
73 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
73 <br />
74 1.
74 <a name="introduction" id="introduction">
74 </a>
74 Introduction
74 </h2>
75 <p>
75 Poor planning around delegation of authority can delay decision-making and lead to Looked After
Children missing out on opportunities that enable them to experience a fulfilled childhood and
feel part of the daily life of their children's home.
75 </p>
76 <p>
76 Looked after children report that problems obtaining parents' and local authorities' consent to
everyday activities makes them feel different from their peers and causes them embarrassment and
upset. Failure to delegate appropriately, or to make clear who has the authority to decide what,
can also make it more difficult for residential workers to carry out their caring role and form
appropriate relationships with the children in their care.
76 </p>
77 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
77 <br />
78 2.
78 <a name="placement" id="placement">
78 </a>
78 Care and Placement Planning
78 </h2>
79 <p>
79 When deciding who should have authority to take particular decisions, the most appropriate
exercise of decision-making powers will depend, in part, on the long term plan for the child, as
set out in the child's Permanence Plan.
79 </p>
80 <p>
80 For example, where the plan is for the child to return home, the child's parents should expect
to continue to have a significant role in decision-making. However where the plan is for long
term foster or residential care, then carers should have a significant say in the majority of
decisions about the child's care.
80 </p>
81 <p>
81 The Placement Plan will set out how, on a day-to-day basis, the child will be cared for and
his/her welfare safeguarded and promoted, this will include arrangements for contact, medical
care and education/training.
81 </p>
82 <p>
82 Wherever possible, the most appropriate person to take a decision about the child should have
the authority to do so, and the Placement Plan should provide clarity about who has the
authority to decide what.
82 </p>
83 <h3 class="h3">
83 2.1 Day to Day Parenting Decisions
83 </h3>
84 <p>
84 Whatever the Permanence Plan for the child, the carer's (and / or the child if they are of
sufficient age and understanding to make these decisions themselves) should have delegated
authority to take
84 <span class="bold">
84 day-to-day parenting decisions
84 </span>
84 (e.g. routine decisions about health/hygiene, education, leisure activities) This enables carers
to provide the best possible care for the child.
84 </p>
85 <p>
85 Decisions about activities where risk assessments have already been carried out by those
organising / supervising the activity, e.g. school trips or activity breaks, should be delegated
to the child's carer. There is no expectation that local authorities / Children's Homes Staff
should duplicate risk assessments.
85 </p>
86 <p>
86 Where any day-to-day parenting decisions are not delegated to the carers, the reasons for this
should be set out in the child's Placement Plan. Reasons for not delegating certain decisions
include past experiences or behaviour. For example, where a child has been identified as
vulnerable to exploitation by peers or adults, then overnight stays may need to be limited, and
the home may want the child's social worker to manage this.
86 </p>
87 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
87 <br />
88 3.
88 <a name="views" id="views">
88 </a>
88 Views of the Child / Young Person
88 </h2>
89 <p>
89 Any decision about delegation of authority must consider the views of the child. In some cases a
child will be of sufficient age and understanding to make decisions themselves. For example,
they may have strong views about their personal appearance, and it may be decided that they
should be allowed to make these kinds of decisions themselves
89 </p>
90 <p>
90 When deciding whether a particular child, on a particular occasion, has sufficient understanding
to make a decision, the following questions should be considered:
90 </p>
91 <ul>
92 <li>
92 Can the child understand the question being asked of them?
92 </li>
93 <li>
93 Do they appreciate the options open to them?
93 </li>
94 <li>
94 Can they weigh up the pros and cons of each option?
94 </li>
95 <li>
95 Can they express a clear personal view on the matter, as distinct from repeating what someone
else thinks they should do?
95 </li>
96 <li>
96 Can they be reasonably consistent in their view on the matter, or are they constantly changing
their mind?
96 </li>
97 </ul>
98 <p>
98 Regardless of a child's competence, some decisions cannot be made until a child reaches a
certain age, for example, tattoos are not permitted for a person under age 18 and certain
piercings are not permitted until the child reaches age 16.
98 </p>
99 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
99 <br />
100 4.
100 <a name="delegation" id="delegation">
100 </a>
100 Delegation in the context of the Child's Health
100 </h2>
101 <p>
101 The legal position concerning consent and refusal of health treatment for those under 18 years
old is set out in chapter 3 of the
101 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reference-guide-to-consent-for-examination-or-t
reatment-second-edition" target="_blank">
101 Department of Health and Social Care Reference guide to consent for examination or treatment,
second addition 2009
101 </a>
101 .
101 </p>
102 <h3 class="h3">
102 Emergency Medical Decisions
102 </h3>
103 <p>
103 Whilst consent to examination or treatment should usually be sought from a parent or person with
Parental Responsibility before a medical examination is carried out or treatment is provided,
there amy be situations where this is not possible, for example, a child requires urgent
attention.
103 </p>
104 <p>
104 In an emergency, when urgent medical treatment is required, but no prior consent has been given
and it is impossible to locate parents or a person with parental responsibility, then a child
who has reached his/her sixteenth birthday may give consent. Dependent on his/her age and level
of understanding, a child who has not reached the age of sixteen may be regarded by a doctor as
capable of giving consent. In a 'life or limb' situation, a doctor may decide to proceed without
any consent.
104 </p>
105 <h2 class="h2_underlined">
105 <br />
106 5.
106 <a name="children" id="children">
106 </a>
106 Children who Seek Advice/Treatment Without Consulting Parents or Consent
106 </h2>
107 <p>
107 Children who have reached the age of 16 years can seek the advice of a medical practitioner
without referral to or the consent of parent(s) or those with Parental Responsibility, and may
decide to keep that advice and any subsequent treatment confidential. In such circumstances,
they may share certain information with staff - and may request that it is only shared with
specified other people. Such requests should be respected, unless to do so would place the young
person or others at risk of injury or harm.
107 </p>
108 <p>
108 Children who have yet to reach the age of sixteen should be treated in a manner which is
consistent with their age and level of understanding. If possible, their wishes should be
respected, but all reasonable steps should be taken to encourage them to discuss any concerns
with their parent(s), a close relative or guardian. They should also be encouraged to consult
their social worker or another responsible person, such as a staff member.
108 </p>
109 <p>
109 Once the arrangements have been made for a child to see a medical practitioner, the child can
request that they do so unaccompanied; such a request should be respected.
109 </p>
110 <p>
110 Whilst it may be unusual for a doctor or other health care professional to provide advice or
treatment to a child under 16 without parental knowledge or advice, they can do so if they
believe the child is of an age and level of understanding (Gillick Competency) to understand the
implications of the decision they are taking. Decisions about whether to provide advice or
treatment without consent or consulting parent(s) or carers are for a practitioner's clinical
judgement.
110 </p>
111 <p>
111 <br />
112 <br />
113 </p>
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120 I899 [WCAG21 1.3.2 (A)] Layout tables must represent their content in a meaningful sequence:
Screen readers can struggle to read out tables sensibly, so it is often better to use alternative mark-up and CSS to layout content. Try disabling the table mark-up to see if it still makes sense. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F49. <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
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127 W884 [WCAG21 2.1.1/2.1.3 (A/AAA)] Mouse/Pointer event handlers require keyboard equivalents:
When using mouse/pointer event handlers on elements that can be accessed by keyboard, ensure that you provide an equivalent keyboard handler. See WCAG 2.1 Failure F54. <input name="printMe" type="image" onclick="printSpecial()" value="Print this Page"
src="images/icons/print.gif" onmouseover="images/icons/print.gif'"
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