At what age can I…
Getting Information
You can ask to see your health records and education records at any age, but you may be refused if showing it might cause serious harm to your physical or mental health, or that of another person.
Data Protection Act 1998, Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Health) Order 2000, and Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Education) Order 2000. s.6 Data Protection Act 1998, as amended by s.18(1) Freedom of Information Act 2000
You can also see the information held by the Local Authority about you at any age unless seeing it would cause serious harm to your physical or mental health, or that of another person.
Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Social Work) Order 2000
Secure Accommodation
At the age of 13, if you are ‘looked after’ by a Local Authority, you can be locked up in a secure unit of a children’s home for up to 72 hours, or longer by court order. This may happen if you have a history of running away and you are likely to suffer harm because of this, or you are likely to hurt yourself or others if you are not in a secure unit.
s.25 Children Act 1989, Children (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 1991
For more information, see Accommodation for under 16s.
Ward of court
You can be made a ward of court until the age of 18.
s.41 Supreme Court Act 1981
For more information, see Wardship.
Housing
At the age of 16, you can enter into a housing contract. A housing contract is enforceable and therefore you can be held liable for breach of a contract.
s.15 Law of Property Act 1925. 106. ss.175-178 and 188-191 Housing Act 1996
At the age of 16, the Local Authority has a duty to house you if you are homeless, in need of help, or in priority need and you did not make yourself intentionally homeless.
Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities. July 2006. 108. s.20(3) Children Act 1989
For more information, see Homelessness.
At the age of 16, you can usually leave home without the consent of your parents or anyone else with parental responsibility. However, there are certain circumstances where an application can be made to court for you to return.
At the age of 18, you can leave home without parental consent.
Care Orders
At the age of 17, the Local Authority can no longer apply for a care order for you.
s.31(3) Children Act 1989
For more information, see Adoption.
At the age of 18, you cannot be adopted.
ss.56-64 Adoption and Children Act 2002
At the age of 18, if you have been adopted, you can contact the adoption agency responsible for your adoption for more information, for example, a copy of your original birth certificate.
s.80 Adoption and Children Act 2002
At the age of 18, if you have been adopted, you can apply to have your name and address put on the Adoption Contact Register.
s.21 Adoption and Children Act 2002
For more information, see Adoption-locating.
At the age of 21, you can adopt a child.
ss.50 and 51 Adoption and Children Act 2002
Leaving Care
At the age of 21, if you are or were a ‘looked after’ child, your personal advisor pathway plan will usually end when you are 21 unless you are in further education or training.
s23C Children Act 1989, inserted by s.3 Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
At the age of 21, if you were ‘looked after’ by the local authority between the ages of 16 and 18, the local authority continues to be under a duty to advise and befriend you. If you are in higher education the local authority has a duty to assist you financially up until the age of 24 if necessary.
s.24 Children Act 1989, inserted by s.4 Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
For more information, see Support post 16.
