Massaging children (16yr old in this case)

[Gratefuldeadhead111]

Hi all,

I've been asked by my client it I can massage her 16 year old daughter tomorrow.

Can anyone tell me what's the go on massaging children? Do I need certification or have the parent present?

Any relevant information would be great please.

Thanks

 

[aleza]

I think that you should insist that they be accompanied by an adult or guardian and that appointments are booked out of school hours. You should ask the parent or guardian to sign a consent form and be present during the treatment.

 

[idovadsedisee]

thanks Isis. I know how ever that the mother and daughter are at odds sometimes and I guess the mother is hoping the massage might help their relationship as well as other things. So it might not be ideal for the mom to be present but I tend to agree with you.

anyone got any other thoughts?

 

[Season Rain]

I'm not sure about the legal aspect but I would have thought that sixteen was old enough to give her own consent and not need anyone else present, presuming that you are also female. However, in this day and age, you can't be too careful...

 

[Spoomatoonpug]

Legally a person is a juvenile if UNDER the age of 17 and thus child protection laws apply. If doing any thing with children you should be CIB registered, and this now applies to a lesser extent to baby sitters and even paople walking children to and from school for friends, though I'm not sure if this has come into force yet. Other then this I agree with everyone else and have the appropriate adult with you and a consent doicument signed by both child and adult.
Good luck,
DC

 

[DTCTown]

Child = anyone less than 16
Juvenile/Young Adult = anyone less than 18
Adult = 18+

There was talk that anyone doing anthing with children would have to be CIB registered and CRB checked etc. which came to light when those two police women were looking after each others kids as they were working different shifts (was it last year or the year before, I don't recall). However, they took their case to court and it was decided that they had done nothing wrong and that babysitting for a friend is not the same as childminding and there was no need for all the checks and registration (case law). If someone were to set themselves up to walk groups of children to school, doing rounds on the houses to pick them up and drop them off etc. then this would be considered necessary for checks (I think it's when it reaches a certain number of children of certain ages in the group).



All Love and Reiki Hugs

 

[Isha]

In schools / teaching, I think there's a general guideline that CRB checks are only necessary if the adult is alone with children. I would have thought a massage therapist who has the parent or guardian present would not need to have been checked anyway.

 

[Dylan Calvert]

When I was studying aromatherapy, I started using my (more than willing) then 12-year-old daughter as a case study. So I was a bit put out when my tutor told me not to - even she had her parent's permission (mine) and a parent was present during massages (me)! I wonder if she would have said the same if it had been a female therapist...?

 

[loves2cook]

Supersub - I hope your tutor was just being cautious...my Holistic Massage tutor told us not to use case studies who were under 16, or pregnant, etc, Just In Case.

 

[Saima Ahmed]

I was taught that for children (under 16) you would need parental consent and them present but if they are already 16 then they should be able to give their own consent and not have to have their mum present.

 

[SiLlYwiLlY5]

If it weren't in Britain she probably wouldn't have batted an eyelid at you using your daughter as a case study, this country is so uptight! and yes I'm BRITISH! I mean, why the heck do we have baby massage???? eastern countries massage comes so naturally and is second natture, as for most of the rules and regs, that MOST people aren't aware about, i.e the two female PCs, I think PC gone mad springs to mind.
On your point, yes you will have to have parental consent for a minor, you do have to be careful in this day and age obviously, discuss with both mother and client what they feel is appropriate, mother in room or not and get them to sign to this effect on a separate form. If your in the position to, maybe leave the door ajar and mum could sit outside and look in so they can have their distance from each other. It does help to have a CRB check too.

 

[*~*cAnDi*~*]

Id get written permission from the mother and if there is some way of having her in the room I would. Even if the door is partially open and she is on the other side- or if its a larger room she just sits at one end- even with her back to the session so that her daughter can relax
If her mum is paying for the treatment- then presumably there is something of a relationship between the 2 of them -so perhaps it wont be such an issue to have the mum in the room
I would discuss this with the mum and explain legally you have to make sure the right thing is done- as its ethical
Am sure she will understand and you can find a compromise
Its always best to protect yourself- you want to be of service- but this is also your livelihood.
Hope it goes well
Blessings