Mental health care for children and young people: what parents should ask
How private mental health services for under-18s differ, what safeguarding and consent involve, and the questions parents and carers should ask.
- Published
- 28 August 2026
- Reviewed
- 28 August 2026 by NeuroLynk clinical governance review
- Last updated
- 16 September 2026
Why services for under-18s are different
Care for children and young people is not adult care delivered to a smaller person. It involves different training, different therapeutic approaches, family and school involvement, specific safeguarding duties and different rules on consent and confidentiality. A service that works excellently with adults may not be set up for a 12-year-old.
Check the age range precisely
Ask for the exact ages a service works with. Some cover 5 to 18, others start at 11 or 16, and transition arrangements around the 18th birthday vary. Ask what happens when your child turns 18.
Who will see your child
Ask for the clinician''s profession, registration and their experience with children and young people specifically. For doctors, check the GMC register; for practitioner psychologists, the HCPC register; for counsellors and psychotherapists, an accredited register. Ask whether they hold enhanced DBS clearance and how supervision is arranged.
Safeguarding
Any service working with under-18s should have a named safeguarding lead, a written safeguarding policy and clear procedures for raising concerns. Ask for the policy. A provider unable to produce one is not ready to work with children.
Consent and confidentiality
Consent for under-18s is more nuanced than for adults. Young people who are assessed as having sufficient understanding may consent to their own treatment, and may be entitled to some confidentiality from parents. Ask the provider to explain plainly, before treatment starts: who consents, what will and will not be shared with parents, and in what circumstances confidentiality would be broken.
Family and school
- How are parents and carers involved in assessment and treatment?
- Are family sessions offered, and are they included in the fee?
- Will the service liaise with school, and is a report for school included or extra?
- Will they write to the GP?
What UK guidance describes
NICE publishes guidance covering children and young people for a number of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders and self-harm, and family-based approaches are prominent in several. Which is appropriate is a clinical decision.
NHS routes
NHS children and young people''s mental health services are available across the UK, usually accessed through a GP, school or local single point of access. Some areas accept self-referral. School counselling and charity services also exist and are free.
If you are worried right now
If your child is at immediate risk, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent non-emergency help, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Childline is free on 0800 1111 for children and young people. NeuroLynk does not provide crisis support and does not assess risk.
Summary
How private mental health services for under-18s differ, what safeguarding and consent involve, and the questions parents and carers should ask.
Frequently asked questions
- Can my child consent to their own treatment?
- Young people assessed as having sufficient understanding may consent to their own treatment and may be entitled to some confidentiality. Ask the provider to explain their approach before starting.
- Should I ask about safeguarding?
- Yes. Any service working with under-18s should have a named safeguarding lead and a written policy they can share with you.
- Is there NHS provision?
- Yes. NHS children and young people's mental health services operate across the UK, accessed through a GP, school or local single point of access, and some areas accept self-referral.
Educational purposes only — not medical advice
NeuroLynk is an independent discovery and referral platform, not a healthcare provider. This article is general educational information and does not diagnose, treat or replace advice from a qualified clinician. If you need urgent help, contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services on 999.