What are Gillick Competency consents?

Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they're believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment. This is known as being Gillick competent.

• Maturity and Understanding: The core concept is that the child understands the immunisation process - what it is, the potential risks and benefits, and the alternatives. 

• Assessment: A healthcare professional will assess a child's Gillick competence by talking to them about the immunisation and observing their understanding of the information provided.