What is Consent Form?

A consent form is a document signed by a parent or guardian that provides you with permission to care for their child during your activities. It typically collects essential information and consent across several areas: participation consent (permission to take part in named activities), medical information (allergies, conditions, medications, dietary requirements), emergency contact details, photography and video consent, consent to administer first aid, and details of authorised collection persons.

A well-designed consent form serves multiple purposes: it fulfils your legal obligation to obtain informed consent, it provides you with the information needed to keep the child safe, it sets clear expectations with parents about what your sessions involve, and it protects your business by demonstrating that parents were aware of the nature of the activities. Consent should be specific — a blanket statement is not sufficient. For example, photography consent should specify how images will be used (social media, website, printed materials).

Consent forms should be reviewed and updated at least annually, or whenever a child's circumstances change. Under GDPR, you must explain what data you are collecting and why, and you must store consent forms securely. Digital consent forms through booking software can streamline this process significantly, making it easier to keep records current and to quickly access critical medical information during a session.