This paper examines the problem facing school psychologists, psychiatrists and other members of helping professions in balancing professional intervention against a child's autonomy or freedom of choice. The issue is considered from the viewpoint of ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ professionalism and a number of possible solutions to the dilemmas raised are explored. The notions of professional and scientific accountability are found to be insufficient in themselves to help resolve these dilemmas, as also is appeal to legal and quasi-legal concepts. It is concluded that far more discussion and consideration of children's rights should take place in the training of educational psychologists and other ‘helping’ professionals.
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