1. Consent, throughout the Early Help Journey
Support for Partner Agencies

2. Common examples of Consent
The agreement to marry is commonly recorded in writing and witnessed.
The recording and use of someone's image, at times will require their consent.
Whenever practical health professionals will always look to obtain our consent before acting
The democratic government of the day can only govern with the consent of the people.

3. Why we need the consent of parents, carers and young people.
Early Help is a partnership between you, family members and potentially other professionals.
Each member of the partnership brings something of value to the process and has equal responsibility to work together to bring about improvements.
Members of a good partnership, have a clear understanding of what the shared aims are and how each member will contribute to meeting those aims.
These are the founding principals underpinning the need for parents, carers and where age appropriate young people, to evidence that they give their consent to being supported via the Early Help Journey.

4. At what point in the Early Help journey do I need to obtain consent?
(Levels of need 1 and 2) on the multi agency, Needs and Response Framework)
Where providing information about, or signposting to universally available services?
(Levels of need 1 and 2): Ensure verbally, that the parent/carer or young person is clear as to what actions you have, or will be undertaking.
(Level of need 3 and 4) on the multi agency, Needs and Response Framework)
Where a young person or family would benefit from a coordinated programme of support from more than one agency using the Early Help Assessment.
(Level of need 3 and 4) : Explain how the Early Help Journey works. Explain that if felt needed the information recorded on the E.H.A form, will only be shared with other agencies, who will potentially be able to provide support and that these agencies will keep the information safe.
Those circumstances that are assessed as being level 5 should be responded to, in keeping with your agencies safeguarding referral process and do not require consent.

5. What are parents/carers and young people consenting to? (The E.H.A)
They consent to accept support from agencies, who they feel can help support them, to meet any identified areas of need.
They are consenting to us, as professionals sharing relevant information with other agencies on a need to know basis only.
An important part of an Early Help Strength Based Conversation is that the professional looks to ensure that the parent /carer or young person understands the points above. Clear understanding, evidenced with a signature is called obtaining “explicit consent”.

6. Recording explicit consent, for support via the Early Help Assessment
When an E.H.A is initially completed, the parents/carers consent should be recorded on the E.H.A form. They will be agreeing with the following statement.
The Agreement
I am happy to participate in an early help assessment. I understand that the information I give will be used to help me plan things. I understand that my information will be stored safely as per the Data Protection Act I give my permission for this information to be shared with other professionals to plan what is needed. I understand that where there is an immediate risk of harm, the practitioner will follow the MSCB safeguarding reporting procedures.
(Extract from an Early Help Assessment Form)

7. Consent from young people
When looking to access support for a young person in a family, it is equally important to have previously explored obtaining the consent of the young person. Contact with professionals should never come as a surprise to a young person and should not be something adults look to impose on a young person.
A young persons’ level of understanding is not solely defined by age. Obtaining the voice of the child, discussing a young persons’ level of understanding with parents/carers will help define the level of consent and evidence (within the E.H.A) if consent has been obtained.
Obtaining the voice of the child/young person is key to ensuring a quality E.H.A and is an excellent opportunity to talk about support the young person may wish to access. A range of resources are available to assist with obtaining the voice of young people via webpage: manchester.gov.uk/earlyhelppractitioner

8. Consent Sharing information.
Team Around the Family Meeting
This is a great opportunity for all members of this partnership to share information with each other. The information shared will act as a guide as to any future Simple, Measurable, Achievable and Timely plans.
Request for Early Help Support Form
Please remember that If/when you submit a request for support to one of the district E.H Hubs, where felt appropriate, we will look to gather relevant information from other agencies. We undertake this task to ensure that we gain a holistic overview of the family circumstances. This enables us to provide you and the family with an informed response.
Safeguarding
If at any point during our information gathering process, a more holistic picture raises concern for the welfare of a young person or vulnerable adult, we will consult our social work practitioners. and consider.

9. Keeping information safe
The information families share with us must always be valued and subsequently kept safe.
All paper and electronic methods, used to record a families information must be kept safe.
We will only share information with other agencies with the families consent. Please share any information securely. Whenever sharing information keep a record of who the information was shared with, when and why.
Our paper or electronic records are kept safe as part of our wider objective of keeping all young people and adults safe. This is supported in law.

10. Frequently asked questions
I completed an electronic version of the E.H.A How was I supposed to get the parent to sign it? A
Get the parent to sign a printed version and keep a copy with your other paper records. When registering your electronic version, in the box for signature of parent type in the date for when the parent sign a copy and where the copy is kept. Q
Do I need to get the young person to give written consent? A
Where age appropriate (level of understanding and in agreement with the parent) a young person can add their signature to that of the parent and be provided with a copy of the E.H.A Q
Can we undertake an E.H.A without parental knowledge? A
Any assessment undertaken with a minor (under 18) should only take place with the parents knowledge and consent. You may however speak with a young person and then look to share the details of the conversation with the parent.

11. Addressing the issue of lack of consent
At any point during the Early Help journey, you may struggle or be unable to obtain consent. Parents/carers and young people may refuse to give or withdraw their consent to an E.H.A or support via other means.
However you may still be left with worries around the young person. If appropriate you may consider that the refusal or withdrawal of consent would result in a risk to the young persons immediate safety. If so follow your safeguarding referral process.
A parent/carer or young person may refuse or withdraw consent. There may not be any clear risk to the young persons immediate safety. Yet you are still left worried due to circumstances. Please telephone the relevant Early Help Hub. Please share with us clear examples/evidence of your attempts to obtain consent and the detail your worries. If felt required our E.H Hub Social Workers will contribute to our decision making and we will if needed get back in contact with you with an outcome. Contact details for the 3 E.H. hubs are available via the following web page: manchester.gov.uk/earlyhelppractitioner

12. Additional reading on Consent and information sharing
Manchester Safeguarding Children Board
Consent Policy for Children and Young People – Resources for Practitioners :
Working together to Safeguard Children 2015