Legal Permissions, Duties & Responsibilities Given To A Child According To Age
According to UK law a child is classified as anyone below the age of 18 years. Throughout these 18 years the law permits the child to do certain things at certain ages. It is important for all parents and children to understand what a child can and what they cannot do at what age.
Below we have listed at what age UK law will permit a child to do things. We have included the ages 19 years to 21 years. Even though at these ages a child is not a child anymore, we have added these ages because there are a few things the law will not allow an 18/19/20 years old individual to do until they are 21 years of age:
BELOW THE AGE OF 9 YEARS
EDUCATION
From age 5 years onwards it is compulsory for a child to attend education
FLIGHT
From age 2 years most airlines will charge a child fare.
AGE 10 YEARS
CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
From age 10 years onwards the law says a child has criminal responsibility for their behaviour.
CONVICTION
From age 10 years onwards a child can be convicted of a criminal offence.
BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 & 13 YEARS
BANK ACCOUNT
At 11 years a child can open a bank account with their parents permission.
BUY OR RENT DVD
From age 12 years onwards a child can buy or rent a DVD classified age 12.
CINEMA
From age 12 years onwards a child can go to the cinema and see a movie classified as 12.
SIGNING A PASSPORT
From age 12 years onwards a child has to sign their own new passport. However they cannot make an application for a new passport until they are 16 years of age.
POLICE DETENTION
From age 12 years onwards a child can be detained by the police and kept in police detention if they are arrested.
ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED CURFEW
At 12 years a child can be placed in an electronically monitored curfew.
DETENTION FOR A CHILD IN CARE
From age 13 years onwards, a child who is living in care can be detained for up to 72 hours. If a longer period of detention is required then the local authority will need a court order. A child aged 13 years and over can be detained in a secure unit.
DANGEROUS PERFORMANCE
From age 12 years onwards, a child can take part in a performance that is deemed to be dangerous as long as the parents have been issued a licence by the local authority.
FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNT
At 13 years of age, a child can have their own account on Facebook or Twitter.
14 YEARS OF AGE
SEATBELT
From age 14 years onwards, a child is responsible for wearing their seatbelt in any vehicle that is fitted with one.
PART TIME JOB
At 14 years of age, a child can get a part time job. Please click on the link below for more information.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILD EMPLOYMENT
PERFORMING, MODELLING AND SPORT
At age 14 years, a child can perform in a public performance abroad, can work as a model, take part in a professional sport as long as the parents have a justices licence.
CONCERTS
At age 14 years, a child can attend a 14+ concert at a licensed venue.
15 YEARS OF AGE
DETENTION
At 15 years of age, a child can be sentenced to a detention and training order for up to 2 years. This is for a serious offence or for persistent offences not including murder. The child will have to spend half of the sentence in a secure unit or in a young offenders institution.
CINEMA
From 15 years onwards, a child can go to a cinema and watch a movie classified as 15.
BUY OR RENT DVD
From 15 years onwards, a child can buy or rent a DVD that is classified as 15.
ROYAL NAVY & AIR FORCE
At 15 years and 9 months, a child can make an application to serve in the British Royal Navy and the British Royal Air Force. However they cannot serve before the age of 16 years.
16 YEARS OF AGE
NAME CHANGE
At 16 years, an individual can change their name by deed poll. They do not need the consent of their parents or the court.
MARRIAGE OR CIVIL PARTNERSHIP
From 26-02-2023, any individual under 18 years of age cannot get married or enter into a civil partnership whether they have parental consent or judicial consent.
LIQUEUR CHOCOLATES
At 16 years, an individual can purchase liqueur chocolates.
ALCOHOL
At 16 years, an individual can drink cider, beer or wine with a meal if they are accompanied by an adult 18 years or over.
At 16 years, an individual can enter a drinking establishment on their own but they cannot purchase or drink any alcohol.
PETS
At 16 years, an individual can purchase and own a pet. They can own a pet before the age of 16 years but they cannot purchase one.
ISA
At 16 years, an individual can go to the bank or go online and take out an ISA.
NATIONAL LOTTERY TICKET
At 16 years, an individual can purchase a national lottery ticket.
PREMIUM BONDS
At 16 years, an individual can purchase premium bonds.
PASSPORT
From 16 years, onwards an individual can make an application for their own passport.
NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER
At 16 years, an individual can make an application for a national insurance number.
CHILD MAINTENANCE
At 16 years, an individual may be required (once assessed) to pay child maintenance if they are an absent parent.
DOCTOR
At 16 years, an individual can register with any GP of their choosing.
CONSENT TO DENTAL TREATMENT
At 16 years, an individual can register with a dentist of their choosing and consent to treatment
HOSPITAL
At 16 years, an individual can consent to medical treatment and surgery.
HETEROSEXUAL SEX
At 16 years, an individual can partake in heterosexual activity with another individual as long as they are also 16 years and older.
HOMOSEXUAL SEX
At 16 years, an individual can partake in homosexual activity with another individual as long as they are also 16 years and older.
MORNING AFTER PILL
At 16 years, a female individual can purchase the morning after pill.
EYE TEST & GLASSES
At 16 years, an individual will have to pay for eye tests and glasses unless they are in full time education.
PRESCRIPTION FEES
At 16 years, an individual will have to pay for all prescription fees unless they are in full time education, they are pregnant or entitled to income support.
LEGAL AID
At 16 years, an individual can make an application for legal aid based on their own income and assets.
PERFORMANCES
At 16 years, an individual can take part in a public performance without the parents consent and a local authority licence.
LEAVING HOME
At 16 years, an individual can leave home without the consent of the individuals who have parental responsibility for the 16 year old.
HOUSING CONTRACT
At 16 years, an individual can sign a housing contract and be liable to pay the amount agreed for the period agreed.
JOBS
At 16 years, an individual can work full time if they have left full time education except in a betting shop or behind a bar when the drinking establishment is open.
WAGES
At 16 years, an individual is entitled to the national minimum wage for 16 – 17 years.
LEAVING SCHOOL
At 16 years, an individual can leave school on the last Friday of the month of June if they have already turned 16 years of age or will turn 16 years of age before the next term starts in September.
Please note that although they can leave school at 16 years of age, the law says they must stay in education, training or be employed until the age of 18 years.
MOPED
At 16 years, an individual can have a driving licence to drive a moped.
CAR
At 16 years, only a disabled individual can have a driving licence to drive a car.
At 16 years, an individual can hold a provisional driving licence.
ROYAL NAVY – ARMY – ROYAL AIR FORCE – ROYAL MARINES
At 16 years, an individual can join the navy, army, marines or air force as long as they have parental consent.
AEROSOL PAINT
At 16 years, an individual can purchase aerosol paint.
CURRENT ACCOUNT AND DEBIT CARD
At 16 years, an individual can open a current account and get a debit card. Some banks will not allow this until 18 years of age.
17 YEARS OF AGE
MARRIAGE OR CIVIL PARTNERSHIP
From 26-02-2023, any individual under 18 years of age cannot get married or enter into a civil partnership whether they have parental consent or judicial consent.
CARE ORDER
Once an individual is 17 years of age, the local authority can no longer make an application to the court for a care order.
POLICE WARNING
At 17 years, an individual can be given a police warning with an adult above 18 years being present.
FIRE FIGHTER
At 17 years and 10 months, an individual can make an application to become a firefighter with some fire brigades.
DONATE BLOOD
At 17 years, an individual can donate blood without parental consent.
DRIVING
At 17 years, an individual can have a driving licence and drive a car. They can drive a small good vehicle and a tractor.
VOTING
At 17 years, an individual can register to vote but cannot vote until they are 18 years.
18 YEARS OF AGE – AN ADULT
SUNBED
At 18 years, an individual can use a sunbed.
ALCOHOL
At 18 years, an individual can enter a drinking establishment, buy an alcoholic drink, and drink it.
LICENCE TO SELL ALCOHOL
At 18 years, an individual can make an application to get a licence to sell alcohol.
LEAVING HOME
At 18 years, an individual can leave home without parental permission.
TATTOO
At 18 years, an individual can get a tattoo
FIRE FIGHTER
At 18 years, an individual can become a firefighter.
PURCHASE LAND OR A PROPERTY
At 18 years, an individual can purchase land or a property in their own name.
MORTGAGE
At 18 years, an individual can make an application for a mortgage.
FIREWORKS
At 18 years, an individual can purchase fireworks.
SMOKING
At 18 years, an individual can purchase cigarettes and smoke them. They can also purchase tobacco.
LEGAL AID
At 18 years, an individual can make an application for legal aid.
LOAN
At 18 years, an individual can take out a loan
BANK ACCOUNT
At 18 years, an individual can open a bank account in most banks. Some banks will allow a 16 year old to open an account.
CREDIT CARD
At 18 years, an individual can take out a credit card.
WILL
At 18 years, an individual can make a will.
VOTING
At 18 years, an individual can vote.
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (MP)
At 18 years, an individual can become a member of parliament
MAYOR
At 18 years, an individual can become a mayor
LOCAL COUNCILLOR
At 18 years, an individual can become a local councillor.
POLICE
At 18 years, an individual can join the police force.
MARRIAGE & CIVIL PARTNERSHIP
At 18 years, an individual can get married or enter into a civil partnership.
BETTING
At 18 years, an individual can place a bet. They can also enter a gambling establishment and gamble. They can also go online and gamble.
DRIVING
At 18 years, an individual can drive a medium sized goods vehicle (7.5 tonnes).
DENTAL TREATMENT
At 18 years, an individual is required to pay for dental treatment unless they are in full time education or they are pregnant.
EXECUTOR OF A WILL
At 18 years, an individual can be an executor of a dead person’s estate.
JURY SERVICE
At 18 years, an individual can be part of a jury
ADULT COURT
At 18 years, an individual can be tried in an adult court if they have committed an offence.
SUE AND BE SUED
At 18 years, an individual can sue someone or an organisation. They can also be sued.
CINEMA
At 18 years, an individual can go to the cinema and watch a movie classified as 18 years.
BUY OR RENT DVD
At 18 years, an individual can purchase or rent a DVD classified as 18 years.
MINIMUM WAGE
At 18 years, an individual is entitled to be paid the national minimum wage for 18 year olds.
PAWNSHOP
At 18 years, an individual can sell an item at a pawnshop.
CONTRACT
At 18 years, an individual can enter into a contract which is legally binding.
ADOPTION CONTACT REGISTER
At 18 years, an individual can make an application to have their details listed on the adoption contact register.
ADOPTION AGENCY – ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE
At 18 years, an individual can contact their adoption agency and ask for a copy of their birth certificate.
ARMED FORCES
At 18 years, an individual can join all the armed forces without the consent of their parents.
19 YEARS OF AGE
DENTAL TREATMENT
At 19 years, an individual has to pay for treatment even if they are in full time education.
PRESCRIPTION CHARGES
At 19 years, an individual has to pay for their prescription.
21 YEARS OF AGE
DRIVING
At 21 years, an individual can sit next to a learner driver if they have a full driving licence and have had it for the last 3 years.
At 21 years, an individual can make an application for a provisional licence to drive a large passenger vehicle or heavy goods vehicle.
ADOPTION
At 21 years, an individual can adopt a child.
FLYING
At 21 years, an individual can make an application to learn to fly a helicopter.
WHAT A CHILD CAN DO AT ANY AGE BETWEEN 1 – 16 YEARS
ORGAN DONATION
A child between 1 – 16 years will need their parents consent to be an organ donor.
DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
A child between 1 – 16 years can enter a drinking establishment with an adult. They are not allowed to drink. In most pubs the child is not allowed to be on the premises after 9pm.
DISCRIMINATION
A child between 1 – 16 years can complain at any age if they are being discriminated against. The discrimination can be for disability, their gender, their sexual orientation or race.
MEDICAL RECORDS
A child between 1 – 16 years can ask to see their medical records at any age. However, this can be refused if the information will cause mental distress to the child.
EDUCATION RECORDS
A child between 1 – 16 years can ask to see their education records at any age. However, this can be refused if the information will cause mental distress to the child.
INFORMATION HELD BY LOCAL AUTHORITY
A child between 1 – 16 years can ask to see any information held on them by their local authority at any age. However, this can be refused if the information will cause mental distress to the child.
CHANGE OF NAME
A child between 1 – 16 years can change their name at any age as long as they have the consent of the individuals who have parental responsibility for them.
A child between 1 – 16 years can make an application to the court at any age to stop the individuals who have parental responsibility for them changing their name. The application is for a prohibited steps order. The application form is called C100.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C100
BABYSITTING
There is no legal minimum age for babysitting.
BODY PIERCING
There is no legal minimum age for a child to have their ears pierced however many establishments may require an adult parent to be present.
In most establishments genital piercing is not performed until 18 years of age.
CINEMA
A child between 1 – 16 years can go to the cinema and watch a U or PG rated movie at any age.
PURCHASE OR RENT DVD
A child between 1- 16 years can purchase or rent a DVD rated U or PG.
LOCAL CHILD CURFEW SCHEME
A child between 1- 16 years can be placed under a local child curfew scheme preventing them from entering public areas from 9pm to 6am unless accompanied by an adult.
WARD OF COURT
A child between 1 – 18 years can be made a ward of court.
LEGAL AID
A child between 1 – 16 years can apply for legal aid at any age as long as they have understanding and awareness of what is being applied for.
LITIGATION FRIEND
A child between 1 – 16 years can make applications to the family court through a litigation friend.
POLICE DUTY SOLICITOR
A child between 1 – 16 years can get free legal services of a duty solicitor at a police station if arrested.
COURT DUTY SOLICITOR
A child between 1 – 16 years can get free legal services of a duty solicitor at court for the first hearing if they are charged with a criminal offence.
TO SUE
A child between 1 – 18 years can sue a person or an organisation but they must do this through a litigation friend.
PILLION PASSENGER
A child between 1 – 16 years can be a pillion passenger (sitting behind a driver) on a motorbike as long as they have a crash helmet and their feet reach the passenger foot rests.
The driver must have a full UK licence. If they do not then the child cannot be a pillion passenger.
RELIGION
A child between 1 – 16 years can choose their religion at age as long as they understand what they are doing.
If the individuals with parental responsibility feel that the religion is harmful to the child then the child can be made a ward of court.
SMOKING
A child between 1 – 18 years can smoke a cigarette at any age. They can only purchase cigarettes after 18 years of age.