YOUTH
ENQUIRY
SERVICE
youth enquiry service
you & your rights
health
relationships
sex(ual health)
housing/homeless?
a place of your own
equality
learning & working
money
benefits
fed up?
is that it?
map of york
YOU AND
YOUR RIGHTS
You can find out information about your rights throughout this guide, as well as from many of the organisations mentioned. You can also look at leaflets in York Central Library, or get more help from CAB, YES or Liberty.
WHEN CAN I?
The law affects us from the moment we are born. Throughout our lives it gives us various rights and responsibilities, and says what we can and can’t do.
For example, from birth you can:
have a bank account (at the bank’s discretion)
own property
give evidence in court
agree to or refuse medical treatment (including contraception) if you understand the implications of it
ask to see personal information held on computer about you (although there are certain exceptions to this)
choose your own religion
get confidential advice and counselling
carry a donor card
have a body piercing
enter a public bar with someone aged 18+, at the landlord’s discretion, if they hold a children’s certificate
smoke, but not buy, cigarettes
babysit – though the parents should assess your suitability
make a complaint about sexual or racial harassment, or a complaint against the police
you must have your own passport if you wish to travel abroad
At 5 you can:
drink alcohol in private (e.g. at home)
you are at compulsory school age
see films classified as U or PG, or 12A if an adult is with you
see your school records
At 10 you can:
be convicted of a criminal offence and be given a custodial sentence for a serious crime
At 12 you can:
buy a pet without your parent(s) being with you
At 13 you can:
get a newspaper round if by-laws allow it (York does)
At 14 you can:
go into a public bar on your own (at the landlord’s discretion) but you cannot buy or consume alcohol there
get a part-time job. There are restrictions on hours etc: e.g. you can’t work more than 2 hours on school days or Sundays
At 16 you can:
work full time if you have left school, join a trade union
from 16 you can leave school, depending on your birth date (see learning & working)
leave home (with or without your parents’ permission – only in exceptional circumstances would you need this)
have a sexual relationship (with someone else 16+)
marry with your parents’ consent
join the Armed Forces with your parents’ consent
be given an on-the-spot fine by the police
see your health and school records within certain conditions
get legal assistance in your own right
see your health records – though you can see them at any age if your GP considers you mature enough
buy cigarettes, and liqueur chocolates
buy Premium Bonds or National Lottery tickets
buy certain alcoholic drinks with a meal in restaurants (beer, cider or perry)
hold a licence to drive a moped go-ped, invalid carriage, or glider
get a National Insurance number
still receive free full-time education at school, 6th form or college
have the right to be offered a Youth Training place if not in work or full time education
claim Income Support in certain circumstances (e.g. you are in full time education and forced to live away from your parents)
sell scrap metal
At 17 you can:
hold a driving licence for a car or a motorbike (up to 125cc), pilot’s licence or private firearms licence
be tried in an adult court and sent to prison
be questioned by the police without a parent or guardian there
a care order can no longer be made against you
give blood
At 18 you are an adult in the eyes of the law and can:
leave home, marry, change your name
vote in elections
you are entitled to the minimum wage (see your rights at work)
apply for a passport without parental consent
serve on a jury, bring and defend a court action, sue, be sued
make a will and sign documents on your own behalf
have a cheque book, credit card, be liable for overdrafts, credit etc., pawn goods in a pawn shop
hold a commercial air pilot’s license
buy and drink alcohol in a bar
be tattooed
if you are adopted you can apply for a copy of your original birth certificate
At 21 you can:
become an MP or local councillor
hold a licence to sell alcohol, hold a PSV or HGV licence
adopt a child
If you would like to know more about what you can or can’t do at what age, contact YES, CAB or the Children’s Legal Centre.