Social research on the under 16's: a consideration of the issues from a UK perspective

This article aims to consider the current situation with regard to the issue of consent in relation to health-based research on the under-16s. It considers the legal situation with regard to the issues of consent, assent and dissent, and their application to research. Although under-16s can consent to treatment if deemed competent according to the ‘Fraser guidelines’, application of this principle in relation to research appears to be less clear with variability in published guidance and the approach taken by ethics committees. Recent policy changes including Research Governance have increased the scrutiny of consent to research, and current changes appear likely to increase the requirement for parental consent for those aged below 18 years. The impact of these ambiguities and changes upon young people as service users are considered with particular reference to sexual health, where they often access the service as autonomous individuals.