Helen said teachers could discuss how a student was doing in school or phone parents when their child misbehaved, but would then keep life-changing situations such as abortions secret.

Her daughter had since told her the counsellor “wasn’t very forthcoming” with advice. The counsellor did ask the girl if she had talked to her parents, but never pursued it.

Helen said follow-up counselling for her daughter was “nonexistent”. She concedes patient confidentiality is a tricky issue and said her child feared she’d be disowned. “She’s come to realise that’s not the case. But if you’re responsible for them, surely you should be told.”