TERMS AND CONDITIONS

CONFIDENTIALITY

At Collywobbles, we understand that therapy and group sessions often involve discussing deeply personal experiences. We want you to feel safe knowing that everything you share with us is confidential, except in cases where there is a safeguarding concern. Your right to privacy is extremely important to us.
All personal information is stored securely and managed in strict accordance with GDPR guidelines to ensure your data is protected.

QUESTIONNAIRES

To help us track progress and better understand how our services are helping, we may ask you to complete questionnaires at the beginning and end of your programme. These help us measure psychological changes and improve our support.
Participation is always your choice, and you are welcome to opt out if you prefer not to complete them.

SAFEGUARDING

Your safety and wellbeing are our top priorities. While confidentiality is key in therapy, there are times when we have a legal and ethical duty to act:

If we believe someone is at risk – If we assess that you may harm another person, we are legally required to take steps to protect both you and them.
If a child or vulnerable person is at risk – If we become aware of any risk of abuse or neglect, we are obligated to inform social care services and, in some cases, the police.
If you are at risk of serious harm – If we believe you are at risk of severe harm to yourself, we will discuss appropriate services with you to ensure you get the help and support you need.
Wherever possible, we will always involve you in these discussions and provide support throughout the process.

TERMINATION OF SERVICES

Our goal is to support you through a successful and positive experience, ending our involvement when therapy has met its intended outcomes. If further support is needed, we may recommend accessing services through your GP, local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), or other appropriate providers.

There are also circumstances where we may need to end therapy early, including:

Repeated disruptive or challenging behavior
Persistent substance use that impacts therapy
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during sessions
Disclosing illegal actions or intentions

If therapy is discontinued for these reasons, we will always discuss next steps and signpost to other relevant services where possible.

Consent to Therapy at Collywobbles

At Collywobbles, we believe that effective therapy is built on trust, clarity, and collaboration. Consent is a vital part of this process and ensures that clients and families understand and agree to the therapeutic work being offered.

Our practice is always guided by the best interests of the client, whether that client is a child, young person, or adult.

Consent for Adults (16 years and over)

Under Scottish law, individuals aged 16 and over are presumed to have the legal capacity to consent to their own therapy, unless there is clear evidence to suggest otherwise.

This means that:

Adults aged 16+ can consent to therapy independently.
Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
Where an adult may lack capacity, we follow the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and work with any legally appointed guardian or welfare power of attorney to ensure decisions are made in the person’s best interests.

Parental Responsibility and Consent

Where a child under 16 is not assessed as having capacity to consent independently, consent must be provided by a person with legal parental responsibility.

Only one parent or carer with parental responsibility is legally required to give consent for therapy to proceed.
Parental responsibility is defined by Scottish law and may include mothers, fathers, or others who have acquired responsibility through marriage, registration on the birth certificate, formal agreement, or court order.

Working Together as Parents and Carers

While one parent’s consent is sufficient in law, at Collywobbles we strongly encourage both parents or carers to be informed, supportive, and engaged in the therapeutic process wherever this is safe and appropriate.

We know that children benefit most when:

The adults around them communicate respectfully,
Therapy is supported consistently outside sessions, and
The child does not feel caught between conflicting adult views.

We also recognise that family situations can be complex. Our priority is always the child’s wellbeing, and we approach each family with care, sensitivity, and respect.

A Child-Centred, Best-Interest Approach

All therapy involving children and young people is guided by:

The child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing,
Their voice and level of understanding,
Safeguarding responsibilities, and
What is in their best interests.

Where appropriate, we will involve parents or carers in a way that supports the child, while also respecting confidentiality and the child’s developing autonomy.

Ongoing Consent and Communication

Consent is not a one-off event. We check in regularly to ensure that therapy continues to feel appropriate and supportive. We also take time to explain:

How therapy works,
What confidentiality means in practice, and
The limits of confidentiality where safety concerns arise.

Our Commitment

At Collywobbles, we aim to work with families, not against them, and to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, ethical, and grounded in Scottish law and professional standards.