A person's agreement to, or permission for, a proposed action, particularly any form of examination, care, treatment, or support. Professionals have their own codes of practice that indicate how they should manage the consent they need from people who use services. In our guidance, we recognise that the consent of a person who uses services can involve another person, and that it can be obtained, given and recorded in different ways.

The voluntary and continuing permission of the person to receive particular treatment or care and support, based on an adequate knowledge of the purpose, nature, likely effects and risks including the likelihood of success, any alternatives to it and what will happen if the treatment does not go ahead. Permission given under any unfair or undue pressure is not consent. By definition, a person who lacks capacity to consent cannot consent to treatment or care and support, even if they cooperate with the treatment or actively seek it.

When you give your permission to someone to do something to you or for you.