How long must a child client's record be kept according to professional practice standards?

For child clients, professional practice standards dictate that their records should be maintained for a period of 10 years following the client's 18th birthday. This is important because it ensures that even after reaching adulthood, individuals have access to their health information should they need it for various purposes such as ongoing health care or legal matters. Retaining records for this length of time allows for continuity of care and supports the needs of clients who may require follow-up treatment or may need to reference their historical health information later in life.

Other timeframes mentioned, such as keeping records only until the client turns 18 or maintaining them for shorter periods, do not align with these comprehensive standards, which prioritize the long-term wellbeing and rights of clients.