Post 16 Education



As you develop, and you increasingly form your own views, you should be involved more closely in decisions about your own future. After compulsory school age (the end of the academic year in which you turn 16) the right to make requests and decisions under the Children and Families Act 2014 applies to you directly, rather than your parents. Parents, or other family members, can continue to support you in making decisions, or act on your behalf, providing you are happy for them to do so. It is likely that your parents will remain closely involved.

Your right as a young person to make a decision is subject to your capacity to do so as set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The underlying principle of the Act is to ensure that those who lack capacity are empowered to make as many decisions for themselves as possible and that any decision made or action taken on their behalf is done so in their best interests.