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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 rightsUN 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

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!

Your Future


It is normal to feel anxious sometimes about the future, for all sorts of reasons. Find out more about your future and making decisions.

  • 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 the UK.
    - You can choose your own GP, and can sign a medical consent form.

    Age 17
    - You can give blood.

    Age 18
    - You can legally have gay sex in Jersey and Guernsey.

    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.

  • 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 and driving

    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 in 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
    - You can buy alcohol.

  • 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
    - You can 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. 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 issues

    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
    - You can buy fireworks.

Other sites that can help

www.thesite.org.uk

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Anything missing?

Is there anything else about your rights that you'd like to see added to this page?

 
 
 
 
 
Your rights 

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