Principles and values of health and social care (children and young people) Egwyddorion a gwerthoedd iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol (plant a phobl ifanc)
Establishing consent with a child or young person Cydsyniad plentyn neu berson ifanc

In relation to the provision of health and social care services, it is important to remember that:

• it is a legal requirement that consent is established before any support is provided
• establishing consent is a way that health and social care workers can demonstrate they respect the child or young person
• the process of establishing consent is a part of the process of developing trust between health and social care workers and the child/ young person
• the child or young person is more likely to want to take part in an activity that they have given permission to do.

Under legislation children under the age of 16 are able to consent to their own treatment if they are considered to have the ability and understanding to fully comprehend what the proposed treatment involves. This is known as being Gillick competent. Otherwise, someone with parental responsibility can consent for them.

Consent can be given in a number of ways. This can be through verbal communication, in writing or through actions. The child or young person might also allow another individual to do something with or to them, perhaps by raising an arm to be supported when dressing, and thereby indicating consent. Informed consent is given when the child or young person understands what they are consenting to.

Mewn perthynas â darparu gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol, mae'n bwysig cofio'r canlynol:

• mae'n ofynnol yn ôl y gyfraith cael cydsyniad cyn i unrhyw gymorth gael ei ddarparu
• mae cael cydsyniad yn ffordd y gall gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ddangos eu bod yn parchu'r unigolyn
• mae’r broses o gael cydsyniad yn rhan o’r broses o feithrin ymddiriedaeth rhwng gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol a’r plentyn/person ifanc
• mae’r plentyn neu berson ifanc yn fwy tebygol o fod eisiau cymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau y maent wedi cael caniatâd i’w wneud.

O dan ddeddfwriaeth mae gan blant dan 16 yr hawl i gydsynu i’w triniaeth os oes ganddynt y dealltwriaeth a’r gallu i ddeall yn llwyr beth mae'r driniaeth arfaethedig yn gynnwys. Caiff y rhain ei cysidro yn gymwys yn ôl safon Gillick. Fel arall, gall rhywun â chyfrifoldeb rhiant gydsynio iddynt.

Gellir rhoi cydsyniad mewn nifer o ffyrdd, boed drwy gyfathrebu geiriol, yn ysgrifenedig neu drwy weithredoedd neu symudiadau. Gallai'r plentyn neu berson ifanc hefyd ganiatáu i unigolyn arall wneud rhywbeth iddo neu gydag ef, efallai drwy godi braich i gael cymorth wrth wisgo, sydd felly'n dangos cydsyniad. Rhoddir cydsyniad ar sail gwybodaeth pan fydd yr unigolyn yn deall beth mae'n cydsynio iddo.