Your Rights
Every child and young person has rights and it's important to know what they are. Knowing your rights will give you confidence.
What are my rights?
Some of your basic rights include:
- A free education
- Healthcare
- A fair standard of living
- Not to be abused in any way
At what age can I..?
It can be very confusing knowing at what age you are legally able to do certain things. When can you legally buy cigarettes for instance? Or at what age can you get a full time job? Here are just some of the things that you might want to know when you can legally do them!
Sex and Health
Age 16
- You can legally have heterosexual (between a man and a woman) or homosexual or gay (between two members of the same sex) sex in England, Scotland and Wales.
- You can choose your own GP, and can sign a medical consent form.
Age 17
- You can legally have heterosexual or gay sex in Northern Ireland.
Age 18
- You can legally have gay sex in Jersey and Guernsey.
- You can give blood.
Any age
- You can visit a doctor or adviser to talk about a pregnancy related issue, such as contraception or abortion, and anything that you say should be private and confidential, even if you're below the age of consent. Check first whether what you say will be confidential with the medical person concerned.
Relationships
Age 16
- You can get married if you have the consent of one parent.
- If you are gay, the minimum legal age for registering a civil partnership in England and Wales is16 but written consent may be needed for anyone under 18. In Scotland you can register a civil partnership aged 16 and you don’t need any written consent.
Age 18
- You can get married without your parents' consent.
Work and Benefits
Age 13
- You are legally allowed to work up to five hours a day on Saturdays or during the school holidays.
Age 16
- You can get a full-time job.
Age 16-and-a-half
- You can join the Army, but you won't be able to go on active service until you are 18.
Age 17
- You can get a street trading license.
Age 18
- You can go abroad to act and perform music professionally.
Money
Age 16
- You can claim social security benefit under certain circumstances.
Age 18
- You can get a credit card.
Housing
Age 16
- You can leave home with your parents' consent, or without it if you are leaving an abusive or neglectful situation.
Age 17
- You can leave home without your parents' consent.
Age 18
- You can apply for a mortgage, and own houses and land.
Transport
Age 14
- You are responsible for wearing a seatbelt in a car or bus. You can be given a fine if you don't.
Age 16
- You can get a license to drive a moped.
Age 17
- You can apply for a driving licence to drive a car.
The Law and Crime
Age Eight
- If you live Scotland, you are criminally responsible at eight years old. That means that you are legally responsible for your actions. Any criminal behaviour will be dealt with by the courts.
Age 10
- In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you are criminally responsible at 10 years old. That means that you are legally responsible for your actions. Any criminal behaviour will be dealt with by the courts.
Age 18
- You can be called for jury service.
- You can change your name.
- You can act as an executor of a person's will.
At any age
- You can make a complaint if you think you're being discriminated against because of race, colour, ethnic origin, sexuality. You can also make an official complaint against the police.
Alcohol
Age 14
- You can go to a pub, but you can't buy or drink alcohol.
Age 16
- You can drink wine, beer or cider with a meal in a restaurant.
Age 18
Smoking
Age 16
- You can smoke tobacco, but you can't legally buy it until you are 18 years old.
Age 18
- You can buy tobacco and cigarettes.
Gambling
Age 16
- You can buy a National Lottery ticket.
Age 18
Politics
Age 18
- You can vote.
- You can become a local councillor.
Travel
At any age
- To travel abroad you will need a passport. If you are under 16, you can get a 5 year child passport. Your appearance will change a lot so once you are over 16 you can get a 10 year adult passport.
Other
Age 12
- Legally you can buy a pet. However some shops can legally have a policy of not selling animals to persons under 16 years of age.
Age 16
- The NSPCC recommends this as a minimum age for a babysitter
Age 18