At what age can I change my name? If you are 16 or over, you can change your name via deed poll. A deed poll is a legal document that proves a change of name. You can change any part of your name, add or remove names or hyphens, or alter the spelling. If you are under 16, the consent …
Complaints to children’s services
What can I complain about? If you are not happy with the care or support you receive from children’s services, you have the right to make a complaint. A complaint might be about: A decision that has been made about you The actions or behaviour of your social worker Delays in assessing you or providing support The level of contact …
Complaints to schools
Schools are required by law to have a complaints procedure which can be found easily. How do I complain about my school? If you are unhappy with how an issue has been dealt with at school, it may be worth talking about this with your parent(s). Either you or your parent(s) can make a complaint to the school following the …
Contact with your parents
Introduction If your parents have separated and one has moved out, decisions may need to be made about which parent you will live with most of the time and how much time you will spend with the other parent. If you mainly live with one parent and spend some evenings during the week or time at the weekend with your …
Contact with family members whilst I’m in care
Introduction If you are ‘looked after’ by children’s services, either under a care order or a Section 20 arrangement, you will usually be living away from your parents and siblings. Children’s services have a duty to make sure you have regular contact with your family, if it’s in your best interests. Can I see my family if I am in …
Contact between siblings in care
Introduction It is not always possible or safe for siblings in the care system to live together. Where siblings cannot be placed together, it’s important that siblings continue to have contact with one another. Children’s services are responsible for promoting contact between siblings as long as it’s safe to do so. How can I have contact with my sibling? You …
Disagreements about major decisions
Introduction If you are under 16, you usually need the agreement of your parent or carer for major decisions, such as changing your name or moving to a new school. What if I don’t agree with my parents? The decisions that your parents make about you should always be made in your best interests. If you’re mature enough to understand, …
Employment for young persons
At what age am I allowed to work? The general rule if you are under school leaving age (16) is that you can get a part-time job from the age of 14. However, you can only be employed in what is considered ‘light work’. This means that you cannot do any job that can affect your health and safety or …
If you are arrested
Age of criminal responsibility The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years old. Children between 10 and 17 can be arrested and taken to court if they commit a crime. What happens when I arrive at the police station? The police must try to contact your parent, guardian or carer if you’re under 18. They must …
Legal aid
What is legal aid? Legal aid is money from the government that will pay a solicitor or a legal representative to act on your behalf. In some cases, you may have to contribute to the cost of a solicitor, but only when you have the money to do so. Criminal legal aid If you are arrested and held in custody …
Holiday without parental consent
At what age can I travel abroad on my own? If you are 18 or over, you can travel abroad on your own without needing the consent of your parents. If you are under 18, it depends on the airline or travel operator, and on the rules of the country you’re travelling to. You should always check: The airline’s policy …
Healthcare and medical treatment
When can I receive medical advice or treatment on my own? Young people aged 16 or over are entitled to consent to their own treatment and this can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances. Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they’re believed to have enough understanding to fully appreciate what’s involved. This is …
Staying put
What is a staying put arrangement? From the age of 18, young people are no longer legally considered ‘in care’ or ‘looked after’. Therefore, fostering arrangements for young people placed with foster carers no longer apply. When a young person remains with their former foster carer/s after their 18th birthday, the arrangement should be considered an ‘age eighteen and older …
Transgender Children
What does it mean to be transgender? Transgender people are people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the sex that they were assigned at birth. ‘Trans’ is a term often used as shorthand for transgender. Trans also includes non-binary people who do not fall into the categories of boy/girl or male/female. Non-binary people may feel they are not …
What are children’s rights?
What are human rights? Human rights are a set of basic things that all people need to live in dignity. We all have human rights whoever we are and whatever we have done. Human rights exist to make sure that we are treated properly and fairly, and are given the freedom to develop to our full potential. On top of …