Gillick Competence Form

INVOLVE Research Database: Declaration by GP that the child patient under their care is
Gillick Competent.

The INVOLVE Research Database ordinarily allows for children to participate in the Research
Database if there is evidence of Assent as documented by the researcher, which is accompanied
by consent from an adult with parental responsibility. Situations may arise where a child under the
age of 16 years may wish to enrol without consent of their parent or another adult with parental
responsibility. Researchers are trained to encourage the child to discuss the matter with their
parents. However, where a child insists that they are entitled to proceed without an adult, those
children will be referred to the GP at the practice to decide whether the child is Gillick competent.

Consent and Gillick Matter
Persons under the age of 18 years are defined as children by the United Nations Convention on
Children's Rights (UNCRC; 1989), and following convention UK Courts refer to persons under 18
as minors, and 16-17 as young persons. The Family Law Reform Act (1969) allows for consent to
be taken from 16-17 years old patients. However, the UNCRC, United Nations 1989, Article 5,
makes clear that the views and wishes of children should be considered in accordance to the level
of both their age and maturity.

A matter between Gillick and West Norfolk and Wishbech AHA (1986) set a legal precedence that
children aged 15 years or below may be sufficiently mature and intelligent to understand and make
their own decisions.

As a GP responsible for the care of the patient, and who is suitably qualified to assess whether a
child is Gillick competent, you will form your decision on factors that include consideration of the
child’s:
1. Maturity
2. Intelligence
3. Experience in similar situations and the ability to consider influences that may be affecting their
decisions including the Research Database information and peer or family pressure.
4. Ability to understand and evaluate the risk and benefits of participating in the INVOLVE
Research Database

Professional Assessment:
Based on your professional assessment of the child’s ability to provide informed consent, please
complete the below:
Name of child

Age

The above-named child is (select as appropriate):
---Gillick CompetentCan only participate where there is Parental Consent

Name of GP
Signature

STAFF USE ONLY
Participants NHS Number:
Researchers Name:
NHS Site Number:
NHS Site Name:
Postcode: