Children, young people and other clients who might have additional needs

Some clients have extra needs, for example older people, children and young people, people with physical or cognitive disability, people with impaired decision-making capacity and people at higher risk such as from family violence. Effective practice means the psychologist: (a) identifies these clients, looks after their interests and wellbeing, and complies with mandatory reporting laws that protect groups at particular risk, including older people and children at risk of abuse or neglect; (b) understands their role in helping clients deal with inequities and that support may be needed for fair access to resources; and (c) when communicating, (i) treats clients respectfully and listens to them, (ii) invites questions and answers them as fully as possible, (iii) gives the best information possible in a form clients can grasp, (iv) recognises associated parties and, when appropriate, encourages clients to involve parents, carers or guardians in service decisions, and (v) stays alert to clients who may be at risk of harm and notifies the proper authorities as the law requires.

• Mandatory reporting procedure for child protection and elder abuse in the psychologist's state or territory, with reports made
• Risk screening for family violence and safeguarding recorded at intake
• Accessible client information (easy read, age-appropriate) in use
• Notes recording involvement of parents, carers or guardians and the client's view on it

• Reportable concern recorded in notes but no report to the statutory authority
• No screening for family violence
• Information given only in standard adult format to a child or a client with cognitive impairment