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Your rights

Everyone has rights, they help you stay safe, be treated fairly and live the life you want to. Some rights are given to you at certain ages - for example being allowed to leave home or drive a car.

Leaving home

Your RightsBefore you turn 16

Until you turn 16, your parents, carers or guardians are responsible for you.

But if living at home is becoming too difficult, or you are in danger (maybe because of problems like physical or sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, or domestic violence) talk to someone as soon as possible. This could be a teacher, another relative or the leader of a youth group - you can always contact ChildLine at any time for free and confidential help and support.

If you feel you have to leave home, try to be prepared - contact your local council to ask about emergency help from social services.

At age 16

You can leave home without your parents or carers consent (you don't need their permission). If you become homeless and you're 16 or 17 years old, you may be entitled to help with money, housing, education, training and support from social services. You can get practical advice on your rights and what you can do to find a place to live by calling Shelter. Also your local council will be able to give you more information on the help you're entitled to.

Although you can't usually rent a home or claim benefits before the age of 18, there are exceptions - help is available if you are 16 or 17 years old and can't live at home. Your local council or a housing advisor will be able to tell you about housing support for under 18s.

From the age of 18

After you turn 18, you can rent your own place and get a mortgage if you have enough money. Get advice on finding your own place to live for the first time.  

Drinking alcohol and smoking

Age 16

You can go in to a pub if you're accompanied by an adult and you can drink wine, beer or cider with a meal in a restaurant if an adult buys this for you as part of the meal.

Age 18

You can buy tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol.

Sex and relationships


Get advice on sex, relationships and puberty

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. 

If the person is a position of trust (for example a teacher or youth worker) then it's illegal for them to have sex with someone aged under 18 who is their responsibility.   

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 kept private and confidential, even if you're below the age of consent (16). If you're worried check first with the medical professional you're seeing and ask if what you say will be confidential. Sex without consent is illegal at any age.

  • Work and Benefits

    Age 13
    Is the youngest age you can get a part-time job, unless you are working in certain areas for example TV, modelling or theatre.

    Age 16
    You can get a full-time job.

    Age 16
    You can join the Army with parental consent, but you won't be able to go on active service until you are 18.

  • Money

    Age 16
    Under certain circumstances you can claim Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, and other benefits.

    Age 18
    You can get a credit card or loan.

  • Transport and driving

    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 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 12
    If you live in Scotland, you are criminally responsible at 12 years old. This 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. (16 years old in Scotland).
    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.

  • Gambling

    Age 16
    You can buy a National Lottery ticket.

    Age 18
    You can place a bet.

  • Politics

    Age 18
    You can vote.
    You can become a local councillor.

  • Travel

    At any age
    To travel abroad you will need a passport. Your appearance will change a lot so once you are over 16 you should get an adult passport.

  • Other issues

    Age 16
    Legally you can buy a pet.

    Age 16
    The NSPCC recommends this as a minimum age that you can work as a babysitter.

    Age 18
    You can buy fireworks.

  • What are my rights? - UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

    Universal Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November every year. This is date that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was created in 1989.

    The Convention applies to all children and young people aged 17 years and younger. The UN Convention has 54 articles which are different parts of the Convention, that say what rights children have, and how the Government should protect those rights.

    The Convention gives children and young people a set of rights that include their right to health, an education, rest and play. It also says that governments must do everything they can do to protect and support children and young people.

    "Every child has the right to be alive and be the best person they can be." Find out more about the UN Convention on the rights of the child

Other sites that can help

Advice on housing, law and money
The Site.org

Child employment
Gov.uk

Housing and homelessness advice
Shelter

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Call ChildLine

You can call ChildLine at any time on 0800 1111 to speak to a counsellor. Calls are free and confidential.

Call ChildLine

Young victims of crime survey


Want to help advise the Government on the rights given to young victims of crime? Fill out our short survey and have your say!

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Experiencing physical abuse and finding it hard to tell somebody? Watch Adam's story.

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Your rights 

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