Learn about informed consent for minors in South African school settings. Gain practical guidance for psychologists working with young clients.
Gaining informed consent when working with children and adolescents in schools involves legal, ethical and practical challenges. In this course, educational psychologist Annelie van der Westhuyzen gives clear guidance on consent procedures in educational settings, covering both treatment consent and payment consent. She explains who can consent and when, shared parental responsibility, school authority and disputed consent. The course is accredited by the HPCSA for CPD points and suits South African psychologists, school counsellors and clinicians working with school-aged clients.
Gaining informed consent when working with children and adolescents in school settings presents a complex array of legal, ethical, and practical challenges. In this comprehensive session, educational psychologist Annelie van der Westhuyzen provides clear and practical guidance on navigating consent procedures in educational contexts.
This talk is essential for psychologists, school counsellors, allied health professionals, and clinicians working directly with school-aged clients—whether based in schools or in external practices engaging with school systems. Annelie explores both treatment consent and payment consent, helping practitioners meet professional obligations while fostering trust with families and institutions
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Understand the legal and ethical framework surrounding informed consent for minors in school contexts.
Identify who can provide consent for treatment and payment, and under what conditions.
Navigate the complexities of shared parental responsibility and school authority.
Apply best-practice approaches when gaining informed consent from children, parents, and guardians.
Recognise and manage scenarios where consent is unclear or disputed.
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