1. Purpose
This policy ensures that all clients engaging with Prior Mindset services provide informed consent before therapy, coaching, or other professional support begins. It establishes how consent is obtained, documented, and reviewed, particularly for online/remote sessions.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
All Prior Mindset practitioners, staff, contractors, and associates.
All clients receiving services from Prior Mindset, whether online, by telephone, or in person.
All documentation of consent, which must be recorded in WriteUpp.
3. Policy Statement
Consent must be voluntary, informed, and ongoing.
Clients have the right to understand the nature of services, their risks and benefits, and the limits of confidentiality.
Consent must be recorded in WriteUpp, Prior Mindset’s secure documentation platform, in line with NHS data security standards.
Clients may withdraw consent at any time.
4. Key Elements of Informed Consent
1. Service Explanation
Clients will be provided with clear information about:
The type of service offered (therapy, coaching, or other support).
The structure, expected frequency, and likely duration of sessions.
The credentials and role of the practitioner.
2. Risks and Benefits
Clients will be informed of:
Potential benefits, such as improved wellbeing, coping strategies, or personal growth.
Possible risks, including emotional discomfort, triggering of difficult memories, or technological limitations in online delivery.
3. Online Session Considerations
Clients must confirm they have access to a private, secure location during online sessions.
Clients will be advised of potential technical issues (e.g. internet failure) and the agreed contingency plan (switching to telephone, rescheduling).
Clients acknowledge that while Prior Mindset uses secure, encrypted platforms, no system can be guaranteed 100% risk-free.
4. Confidentiality and Its Limits
Clients will be informed that:
Information shared in sessions is treated confidentially.
Confidentiality may be broken only if:
There is risk of serious harm to the client or others.
There are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult.
Disclosure is required by law (e.g. court order, terrorism-related offences).
5. Data Protection
Consent includes agreement for Prior Mindset to record and store client information securely in WriteUpp, in line with UK GDPR and NHS retention standards.
Clients will be informed of their rights to access, correct, or request deletion of their records, subject to legal requirements.
5. Consent Process
Obtaining Consent
At the start of services, clients will receive a digital consent form via WriteUpp.
Clients must read and sign electronically before therapy/coaching commences.
Practitioners must review the key points verbally with the client to confirm understanding.
Ongoing Consent
Consent is not a one-off event. Practitioners will check in periodically to ensure clients remain comfortable with the service.
If the nature of therapy changes significantly, fresh consent will be obtained.
Withdrawing Consent
Clients may withdraw consent at any time without penalty.
Practitioners will explain the implications (e.g. ending therapy, referral to another service).
6. Responsibilities
Practitioners
Ensure clients understand the service, risks, benefits, and limits before obtaining consent.
Record all consent decisions in WriteUpp.
Respect client rights, including withdrawal of consent.
Management
Provide standardised consent forms within WriteUpp.
Ensure staff receive training in informed consent and client communication.
Audit compliance with consent recording annually.
7. Monitoring and Review
Consent records in WriteUpp will be reviewed during supervision and audits.
Client feedback on clarity of consent will be used to improve processes.
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or practice standards change.
8. Policy Ownership
Owned by: Senior Management Team / Data Protection Officer
Applies across all Prior Mindset services and platforms.