Leaving home.

[geoffrey]

I know of a young lad of 16 who has not had a happy home life. He has now moved out of the family home to live with a man aged about 26. There is no suggestion whatever that any impropriety is taking place. It is just a case of a decent young man helping a friend out. His parents know all about what is happening but are glad he is out of the house. As the young lad is a juvenile, what if anything has the law to say about this? The young lad seems very happy and says that he has a nice room of his own. They are both committed Christians.

[des8]

Re: Leaving home.

At 16, teenagers can:

• Apply for legal aid
• Receive a community sentence called a Youth Rehabilitation Order
• Be detained in custody (but not in an adult jail) under a Detention and Training Order - the maximum term is two years but some of this will be served under supervision in the community

A young person found guilty of a serious crime, such as murder or serious assault, can be detained for longer periods.
16 year olds and relationships

• Have sex, gay or straight, as long as their partner is also 16+ (or 17+ in NI)
• Move out of the family home (but if under 17, social services may apply for a care order)
• Rent accomodation (but an adult guarantor is required)
• Get married (with parental consent)

Related Links

• Legal rights at 17
• Teenage pregnancy
• Truancy
• Troubled teens
• Teenage parties
• Sexting advice for parents
• Warning signs of running away

Medical treatment

• Give consent to medical, dental and surgical treatment
• Choose their own doctor
• Pay prescription charges - unless pregnant, on income support or in full-time education (law differs in Wales)

Study, work, benefits and money

• Get free full-time education (at school, sixth form college and city technology college)
• Access school records
• Claim benefits and get a National Insurance number (this should be sent automatically a few weeks before their 16th birthday)
• Join the armed forces (with consent of parents or carers)
• Work as a street trader and/or sell scrap metal
• Earn the minimum wage
• Claim child tax credit if responsible for at least one child
• Invest in a cash ISA

NB: The law was recently changed regarding compulsory education - from September 2013, young people must stay in education until they are 17. In 2015, it will rise again to age 18.
Useful links on other websites

• The law on buying and carrying knives
• Police powers to stop and search

Leisure

• Drink beer or cider with a meal in a pub or hotel (but can't be the person buying it)
• Do the football pools and play the National Lottery
• Buy Premium Bonds
• Fly a glider
• Order their own passport

Driving

• Ride a moped with a maximum engine power of 50cc (and a provisional licence), drive an invalid vehicle (with a licence) and a mowing machine or small tractor.
• Drive a car if receiving mobility allowance

[stevemLS]

Re: Leaving home.

There would be nothing wrong if the two were boyfriends. "Impropriety" indeed?

[geoffrey]

Re: Leaving home.

Thanks stephenLS. I had overlooked the fact that such would not now be illegal.