The primary difference between a power of attorney for a child and a child medical consent is that the POA allows the agent to make medical decisions on behalf of the child's parent or legal guardian. A child medical consent grants a temporary carer permission to treat the child for injury or illness when the parent is not present. The parent would still be the go-to for major medical decisions and treatments. Babysitters and childcare facilities often request child medical consent so they can treat the child if they become injured or ill while in their care.