School Counsellors’ Perspectives and Practices Regarding Informed Consent

Abstract

Obtaining informed consent can be challenging when counselling youth in a school setting.  This study explored how school counsellors (n=123) in Newfoundland and Labrador obtained informed consent when counselling youth. Surveys were distributed to school counsellors via an online survey platform.  Findings suggested that many school counsellors obtained informed consent from their student clients regardless of their students’ ages.  Importantly though, some variation did exist among participants in terms of informed consent practices as well as parental/guardian access to student client information practices.  Perceptions regarding the nature and importance of information to provide through the informed consent process varied in some cases. Implications for policy, future research, and practice are highlighted.