Gillick Competency

Gillick Competency is a legal standard used in the UK to determine whether a child under 16 can make their own decisions about medical treatment without needing parental consent. It assesses the child's maturity and understanding of the situation, considering factors like their age, experience, intelligence, and the complexity of the treatment. If a child demonstrates sufficient understanding of the information and consequences involved, they may be deemed competent to make decisions regarding their health care, reflecting respect for their autonomy and rights as individuals.