ABSTRACT
Even the briefest consideration of children’s and young people’s health would be incomplete without an analysis of the many complex legal and ethical issues. The provision of health and social care and the requirements of the law have become inextricably linked to the extent that legal issues are central to the work of all health and social care practitioners. Most importantly, arguments about who should be involved in decision-making and who can give informed consent, or refuse consent, have been central to the legal and ethical debate and, therefore, the practice of health and social care practitioners.
