Working with Minors Policy

1. Purpose

This policy establishes the standards, procedures, and safeguards governing the delivery of counselling services to minors (clients under 18 years of age) at Fields of Hope Counselling, reflecting our commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and rights of young clients.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all practitioners who provide services to clients under the age of 18, whether the minor is the identified client or a participant in family or joint sessions.

3. Regulatory Framework

4. Working with Children Check

All practitioners who provide services to minors must hold a current, valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) issued by the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian prior to commencing work with any client under 18. WWCC details are recorded in the Practice's personnel register and must be renewed before expiry.

5. Telehealth Suitability for Minors

Prior to commencing telehealth services with a minor, the practitioner will assess suitability, taking into account the minor's age and developmental stage, the nature and severity of the presenting concern, the safety and privacy of the home environment, parental involvement considerations, and technological access. Where telehealth is assessed as unsuitable, referral options will be discussed.

6. Informed Consent & Assent

Parental or Guardian Consent

Written informed consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian prior to commencement of services. Consent covers the nature of counselling, use of telehealth, confidentiality and its limits, the minor's right to privacy, fee and cancellation terms, and any use of AI tools.

Minor's Assent

In addition to parental consent, the minor's assent (agreement to participate) must be sought in a developmentally appropriate manner. Services should not be imposed on a minor who clearly does not wish to engage.

Mature Minors

In some circumstances, a minor who demonstrates sufficient maturity may be assessed as capable of providing their own informed consent, consistent with the 'mature minor' principle as applied in Australian jurisprudence. Any such assessment must be thoroughly documented and reviewed in clinical supervision.

7. Confidentiality with Minors

Minors have a right to privacy within the therapeutic relationship, balanced against the legitimate role of parents/guardians and the practitioner's duty of care. At intake, the practitioner will discuss and agree with the minor and their parent/guardian what information will be shared. Specific session content will generally be kept confidential, unless safety concerns arise. This arrangement is documented in the consent form.

Confidentiality cannot be maintained where there is a risk of significant harm, mandatory reporting is triggered, a court orders disclosure, or the minor consents to disclosure.

8. Parental Rights & Involvement

Parents and legal guardians generally have the right to access a minor child's clinical records, though this may be balanced against the minor's right to privacy and safety. Where parents are separated or divorced, written consent must be obtained from the parent/guardian with legal parental responsibility for healthcare decisions, and any court orders sighted before services commence.

9. Session Structure & Safeguarding

At the commencement of each session with a minor, the practitioner will confirm the minor's current physical location, who else is present, whether the environment is safe and private, and check in on the minor's current emotional state and safety.

Crisis Resources for Young People

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (24/7, under 25s)
• Headspace: 1800 650 890 | headspace.org.au
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
• Emergency: 000

10. Mandatory Reporting

All practitioners are mandatory reporters under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW). A report must be made to the Child Protection Helpline (132 111) where a practitioner suspects on reasonable grounds that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm. Mandatory reporting overrides confidentiality obligations.

11. Risk Assessment

Practitioners working with minors must be alert to risk indicators including suicidal ideation, self-harm, indicators of abuse or domestic violence, and significant changes in presentation. Where risk is identified, a clinical risk assessment must be conducted, a safety plan developed, parents/guardians involved where appropriate, and supervision consulted.

12. Record Keeping

Records for minor clients must be retained until the client turns 25, or for 7 years from the last service date — whichever is longer. All mandatory reports must be documented with reference numbers. Records must note the WWCC number of the treating practitioner.

13. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in child protection legislation, professional standards, or clinical practice guidelines.