‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’: Applying Ethical Principles to Practice

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Notes

¹The Fraser Guidelines (sometimes called the Gillick Competencies) were drawn up in 1986 by Lord Fraser at the end of a long legal battle with Victoria Gillick, a mother who was so outraged that her 14-year-old daughter was given contraception without her knowledge that she sued the health authority in 1981 in the hope of gaining a ruling that would ensure parents had to give their consent before their children received contraception. A similar case was brought a couple of years ago by Sue Axon concerning under 16s’ rights to confidentiality and abortion. Under this ruling, a worker can give contraceptive advice or contraception to an under 16 if:

1. it's in the young person's best interests;

2. they understand the advice;

3. they cannot be persuaded to tell their parents;

4. their physical or mental health would suffer otherwise;

5. they are likely to begin or continue sexual activity anyway.

More information can be found at: <http://www.brook.org.uk/content/M5_3_consenttreatment.asp#fraser>.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aylssa Cowel

Aylssa Cowel is a sexual health youth worker