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Background Materials: Status of Children in Society Quiz

1.What provision does the state make for ante-natal care?

Women are offered a series of free NHS appointments depending on their individual

situation.  If it is her first pregnancy the expectant mother is offered up to 10

appointments; seven for subsequent pregnancies.

Starting at 11/12 weeks expectant parents are given advice on care services,

lifestyle, maternity benefits, managing common problems, routine or optional

screening tests available, ultrasound and pregnancy beyond 41 weeks.

Women expecting more than one baby or with pregnancy-related medical conditions are

 offered extra antenatal care.

Sources: NHS Direct, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Children’s

National Service Framework

2.What provision does the state make for post-natal care?

NHS midwifery- led services should provide for the mother and baby for at least one

 month after the birth/discharge from hospital, and for up to three months longer,

depending on individual needs.

All women should receive a needs assessment in the post-natal period.

Health professionals need to be able to distinguish normal emotional and

psychological changes from significant mental health problems and to refer women to

post-natal support if needed.

Mothers and fathers should receive care and support including advice on infant

feeding, health and lifestyle, knowledge, purchase and preparation of food,

benefits of breast milk and what to expect at different ages.

Sources: NHS Direct, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Children’s

National vice Framework

3.What are the rules about registration of births?

A child must be registered within 42 days of the child birth.This can be done at

hospital or the local register office.  If the parents are married then either can

register the birth.  If they are not married, the father acquires parental

responsibility if he acts with the mother to have his name recorded in the child's

birth registration.

Stillbirths must also normally be registered within 42 days, but cannot be

registered more than three months after its occurrence.

Sources:  General Register Office, The Liberty Guide: Your Rights, Wadham, Leach,

Sergeant (eds), 1998, London: Pluto Press

4.What are the rules about the naming of children?

At the time of registration, the Registrar will ask for the full names and surname

with which the child is to be brought up and they become a permanent record.

Amendments to the child's forenames can be made within 12 months of registration

but this does not apply to the surname.

A child can be re-registered if the child's natural parents have married each other

since the birth or where it is the wish of the parents to add the father's details

to the register entry. With parental consent, young people may use a different

name from that on their birth certificate.

Sources: The Liberty Guide: Your Rights, Wadham, Leach, Sergeant (eds), 1998, Pluto

Press, The General Register Office

5.What are the rules about children’s choice of religious belief?

Conventionally children have ‘taken on’ the religion of their parents, or a parent

who practices a particular religion. Christian children are often baptised,

according to the rites of the particular denomination, during their early months.

The 'Gillick Principle', which stems from an important court case in 1985, says

that the parental powers to control their children dwindle as the child matures.

The rights of the parents should then give way to the child's own right to make

decisions.  Therefore young people can choose their own religion if they have the

maturity to understand the implications of that decision.  If however, the parents

thought that the religion was harmful they could ask the courts to intervene.

Sources:The European Convention on Human Rights- the Right of Choice, The Children

 Act 1989, The Liberty Guide: Your Rights, Wadham, Leach, Sergeant (eds), 1998,

Pluto Press.

6.What are the rules governing adoption?

Any decision to remove a child from its birth parents must be proportionate and

necessary.  The views of the birth parents must always be taken into consideration,

and if the matter goes to court they must be able to argue their case properly.

Ordinarily both parents must consent to the adoption.  However if the child is

under a care order, and adoption is in the child’s best interests, then no parental

consent will be needed and a court order will be obtained.

Sources:  Adoption and Children Act 2002, The Children Act 1989, Law for Social

Workers, Brayne and Carr, 2005, Oxford University Press.

7.What are the rules governing foster care?

Foster care is when the local authority considers the only way to safeguard the

child is through the provision of accommodation.  Providing accommodation for the

child means the local authority is 'looking after' the child. If the local

authority thinks this would promote the child's welfare, it has the power to

provide accommodation (foster care) for the child even if there is already someone

willing and able to provide the accommodation (eg. a parent or guardian).

Foster care does not normally affect the parental responsibilities of any person,

or give the local authority parental responsibility.  Only if the local authority

has a court order has it any control over the child. The parent has a right to

remove their child from foster care unless there is a court order in place.

When a child has been abandoned, a duty is placed on the local authority to provide

accommodation.

Sources: Adoption and Fostering Act 2002, Foster Placement (Children)

Regulations 1991, Care Standards Act 2000, Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000,

Law for Social Workers, Brayne and Carr, 2005, Oxford University Press.

8.When may adopted children be permitted to know the identity of their birth

parents?

This depends on the age of the child at adoption; if the child is old enough at the

time s/he may already know the identity of the birth parents.

At the age of 18, adopted children may now to obtain the birth certificates of

their birth parents, unless the adoption agency successfully applies to the High

Court to withhold this information.

In some cases the names of the birth parents appear on the adoption papers, but

this information is still not available until the child turns 18.

Sources:  Adoption and Children's Act 2002, Data Protection Act 1998, Law for

Social Workers, Brayne and Carr, 2005, Oxford University Press.

9.When may an adopted child be permitted to contact their birth parents?

Adopted persons (or birth relatives) wishing to make contact with each other can

register on the Adoption Contact Register. Applicants on the register can record a

wish for ‘specific’ or ‘no’ contact with a named individual.

The adopted person must be 18 or over and know their original birth name and the

name of their birth mother, and father (if known). If a link is made the

information about the relative is sent to the adopted person who must decide

whether to make contact.

Sources: Adopted Persons (Birth Records) Regulations 1991, Adopted Children and

Adoption Contact Register Regulations 2005, General Register Office.

10.What rules exist to protect children in the event of separation/divorce?

Either the petitioner or the respondent of a divorce petition can apply to the

court to consider the arrangements of the child, as indeed can the court itself.

The court can decide whether to make an order or to leave the parties to work out

an agreement in the best interests of the child. Alternatively the court can also

make a residence order to decide who the child is to live with.

Contact orders can be obtained by anyone with whom the child is not living (not

just a parent). The court can decide on the exact nature of the contact. The court

can also make a ‘specific issue’ order, such as the application to change a child's

surname.

Sources: The Family Law Act 1996, The Children Act 1989, Law for Social Workers,

Brayne and Carr, 2005, Oxford University Press.

11.What pre-school provision exists for children?

A variety of provisions exist - nursery schools, Early Excellence Centres, local

Sure-Start programmes, pre-school groups and registered childminders. There are

limited full-time free places in local authority nurseries but a number of other

schemes are available to help parents/carers with costs, including childcare

vouchers and child tax credits.

In local authority nurseries the priority is the allocation of a part-time early

education place to all children aged three by the end of August.  If places remain

thereafter, priority for full-time places are given to children in need and

children of families with specific needs.

There is a 3-5 years curriculum monitored by the education inspectorate OFSTED and

the local authority.  Childminders must register and are also monitored by the

local authority. and there is a possibility that they too may be covered by OFSTED

inspections.

Sources:  Bristol City Council- Children and Young People's Services,

https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.direct.gov%2FEducationAndLearning

12.What is the starting age for school?

Education is compulsory between the ages of 5-16.  Children must start school in

the term following their fifth birthday (unless alternative provision is made).

Children may be educated at home, however parents have a duty to ensure that

children of compulsory school age receive efficient full-time education suitable

to their age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs they may

have.

Sources:  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, International Review of

Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks

(https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inca.org.uk), Bristol City Council- Children and     Young People's Services, https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.direct.gov%2FEducationAndLearning

13.How long are children obliged to attend school?

Education is compulsory between 5-16 years old.  There is one date each year when

young people can legally leave school.  This is the last Friday in June in the

academic year in which the student reaches 16.  In Northern Ireland the compulsory

school age ends after the 30th June of the school year of the student's 16th

birthday.

Sources:  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, International Review of

Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks

(https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inca.org.uk), Bristol City Council- Children and     Young People's Services, https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.direct.gov%2FEducationAndLearning

14.Are all children eligible for tertiary education?

The tertiary phase of education is from the age of 16 years. There are both further

education and higher education facilities in the UK.  The 1998 Education Reform

Act formalised a distinction between Further and Higher Education.

Further Education facilities are usually colleges offering GCSEs, A Levels and

vocational qualifications.  Higher education institutions (universities) offer

bachelors level degrees and above.  Children are encouraged to complete their A

Levels stage of further education at school if their school has the facility.

Tertiary education fees vary but the Local Education Authority assesses what level

of support a student needs.  Students who require (bank) loans to compete their

studies are not usually required to repay then until they are earning £15,000 or

above after the completion of their course.

Sources:  https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.direct.gov%2FEducationAndLearning%2C Department of Education and Skills, The

     Education Reform Act 1998, Higher Education Funding Council for England.

15.At what age may a child be charged with a crime?

A child is defined as a person aged between 10-13 years inclusive.  A young person

is defined as a person who is from the age of 14 and under the age of 18 at the

courts.

It is presumed that persons under the age of 10 cannot be guilty of any offence.

Therefore the age of 10 is usually referred to age the age of criminal

responsibility.

Sources:  Children and Young Persons Act 1933

16.What age groups are covered by youth courts?

The juvenile courts in England and Wales are classed as Youth Courts.  Anyone up to

the age of 18 years can appear at the Youth Court.  If the matter for which a

person is charged with is of a very serious nature it can be referred up to the

Crown Court.

If anyone under the age of 18 is charged with offences along with others over the

age of 18 they will be sent to the adult Magistrates Court.

Sources:  Children and Young Persons Act 1933, Magistrates Court Act 1980

17.At what age may a child be detained by the courts?

A child can be detained at any age depending on the nature of the offence.  A child

under 10 cannot be guilty of an offence, but can be detained by the courts, for

example, by being placed in the care of the local authority for her/his own welfare.

The detention of the child depends on the nature of the offence. Shoplifting for

example is treated differently from 'grave offences' such as murder or rape.

Children have been tried for these 'grave offences'.  A fairly recent case of rape

by a 12-year-old changed the law relating to children.

The court has to decide whether to detain or to release the child on bail.  Bail

must be granted unless there are serious reasons for keeping the child in secure

detention.

Sources: The Bail Act 1976, Children and Young Persons Act 1933, Magistrates

Court Act 1980

18.At what age may a child appear in adult court as a witness?

In theory a child of any age can be called to give evidence in criminal proceedings.

The requirement is that the child is seen to be capable of understanding the

proceedings.  However a child may not necessarily be required to give evidence 'on

oath', i.e 'I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so

help me God.'  It is then up to the court and jury to make decisions based on

their judgement of the quality of the child's evidence.

Sources:  The Criminal Justice Acts 1988 and 1991

19.At what age may a child appear in adult court as a defendant?

From the age of 10 a child may appear in an adult court (Magistrates or Crown

Court) if charged with indictable offence along with an adult (over 18).  Two

youths and an adult arrested and charged together will both appear at adult Magistrates Court on their first appearance.  If a child is charged with adults and the case is sent for trial s/he can appear at Crown Court.

Sources:  Magistrates Court Act 1980

20.At what age may a juvenile be sent to an adult prison?

No juvenile under any circumstances may be sent to an adult prison.  If convicted

of an offence meriting imprisonment, juveniles (youths) are sent to detention

centres (in effect, juvenile prisons).

Sources:  Children and Young Persons Act 1933

21.When does a child have the right to be represented by a lawyer?

All children have the right to legal representation.  No child/young person under

any circumstances can be dealt with in a court without representation.  If a

child/young person has no parent/s, the court will appoint a guardian to look

after the child's rights and will appoint a lawyer to guard the child's interests.

Anyone under the age of 17 years held at a police station must be allowed legal

representation, and an ‘appropriate adult’ should also be present.

Sources:  Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Children and Young Persons Act 1933

22.What are the rules about corporal punishment of children by their parents/carers?

Corporal punishment remains legal when used by parents or carers of a child. The

common law defence of 'reasonable chastisement' was set out by the Chief Justice

of England in 1860, and remains the basis of current UK law. It is up to the courts

to determine what is 'reasonable'.

Smacking of children by a childminder, whilst in their care, (even with the

permission of the parents) was outlawed in England in 2003.

Sources:https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.co.uk%2C Report for the Committee of the Rights of the Child-   Violence Against Children Within the Family and in Schools' by Children Are      Unbeatable Alliance - 28/9/2001 Geneva, The UN Convention on the Rights of the                Child 1989

23.What are the rules about corporal punishment of children by teachers?

Corporal punishment refers to the use of physical punishment to correct behaviour.

Opposition to its use grew after the 1967 Plowden Report 'Children and their

Primary Schools, and in 1986 it was outlawed altogether in all state schools. It

was not banned in private schools until 1999, bring the UK into line with the rest

of Europe.

Teachers are allowed to restrain a child for their own safety.  If a child

misbehaves then restrictions or sanctions can be placed on them - such as

detention or suspension.  Schools are seeking to bring in child/parent/teacher

agreements to assist in management of disruptive behaviour by schoolchildren.

Sources:  School Standards and Framework Act 1998, The Education Act 2002, The UN

Convention on the Rights on the Child 1989

24.What are the rules about corporal punishment of children in the justice system?

There can be no corporal punishment of any kind to children in the justice system.

Sources:  The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989

25.What is the age of consent for heterosexual activity?

In England and Wales the age of heterosexual consent for men and women is 16.

Specific laws protect children under 13, who cannot legally give their consent to

any form of sexual activity.  In such cases there can be no defence of a mistaken

belief about the age of the child; but this defence can be claimed with 13-15 year

olds.

Mutually consented sex between under 16 (but over 13) year olds is not often

prosecuted.

In Scotland the age of consent for women is 16.  Sexual intercourse with a girl aged

13-16 is an offence, punishable by up to two years imprisonment.  A man under the

age of 23 may offer the defence that he believed the girl to be over 16.  If the

girl is under 13 the punishment can be life imprisonment.

In Northern Ireland the minimum marrying age, with parental consent, is 16;

otherwise the age for heterosexual consent is 17.  The man may not claim in his

defence that he believed the girl to be aged 17 or over, whatever her age.

Sources: The Sexual Offences Act 2003, The Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2000,  The

Family Planning Association, Children and Young Persons Act 1950.

26.What is the age of consent for homosexual activity?

In 1967, homosexuality was legalised and sexual activity was allowed to take place

at the age of 21.  In 1994 there was a move to lower the age of homosexual consent

to 16, but a compromise was reached at 18. The age disparity between homosexual and

heterosexual ages of consent was found to be a breach of the European Convention

on Human Rights in 1997.  It follows that the age of consent for homosexual men and

women is now the same as heterosexuals; 16 in England, Wales and Scotland.

In Northern Ireland it is 17 for men and 16 for women, but a girl under 16 is not

deemed capable of consenting to any sexual behaviour which could be classed as a

sexual act.  The courts have taken this to mean that the age for consent for

lesbians is 16.

Sources:The Sexual Offences Act 2003, The European Convention on Human Rights,       https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2C The Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2000, Criminal Law               Amendment (N.I) Act 1885, The Family Planning Association.

27.At what age may a young person smoke?

The sale of any tobacco products to children under the age of 16 is illegal. The

Health Act 2006 gives the Secretary of State for Health the power to raise the

minimum age to 18 and to increase the previous penalties for the sale of tobacco

to under 16s.

Local authorities have the power to undertake enforcement action relating to

offences connected to the sale of tobacco to underage persons.

Sources:  https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ash.org.uk%2C Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991,          The Health Act 2006

28.At what age may a young person drink alcohol?

It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under five, except under

medical supervision in an emergency.

A child under 14 cannot enter a bar/pub unless the establishment has a 'children's

certificate'.  At 14-15 years old the child may go anywhere in a pub while

supervised by an adult, but not drink alcohol.  At 16-17 a child may buy or be

brought beer or cider to drink with a meal in a pub with a specific restaurant

area, but not in a bar. Other than that it is against the law for anyone to buy

alcohol for a person under 18, in a pub, off-licence, supermarket or other outlet,

or for anyone to buy alcohol for someone under 18 to consume in a pub or public

place.

Sources:  Licensing Act 2003,

https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.direct.gov.uk

29.At what age may a young person start work?

As a general rule, children under the age of 13 may not be employed.  However,

local authorities may grant a licence allowing younger children to take part in

paid performances, sports and modelling.

The age at which children may generally be employed is set at 14 years, both in

European and domestic legislation.  They may only do light work, i.e tasks and

working conditions which are not harmful to their safety, health or development.

A 'young worker' is someone above school leaving age (16) but under 18.

Sources:  Working Time Regulations 1998,

https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuc.org.uk%2C https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worksmart.org.uk

30.At what age may a young person join a trade union?

There is no minimum age to join a trade union, but trade unions organise around

representing workers so young people would not normally join a trade union until

at least school leaving age.  There are some minor exceptions to this where a young

 person may take part-time work in the school holidays and join a trade union for

that period of time.

On occasion Unions of School Students have been set up, and at the tertiary

education level students may join a Students Union. Registered students may also

be eligible for (student) membership of a trade union related to their chosen

career path.

Sources:  Unison, Young Members of Unison

31.At what age may a young person vote?

A young person must be 18 or over, and a citizen of the UK, Commonwealth country

or Republic of Ireland for a UK Parliamentary election, or 18 and over and a

UK citizen for a local election.

Sources:  Representation of the People Act 2000, The Electoral Commission,

https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk

32.At what age can a person stand for parliament or be a political representative?

There is no single document/law which defines who can stand for elections as an MP

but essentially, candidates must be over 21 years old and UK citizens or citizens

of the Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland.  You may not stand if you are in prison for over one year, seriously mentally ill, a member of the clergy or hold office under the Crown.

Sources: Representation of the People Act 2000, The Electoral Commission,

https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk.

33.At what age may a young person marry?

The minimum legal age for getting married in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is

16 years, but written consent may be required up to the age of 18.  In Scotland

parental consent is not required for those between 16 and 18.

The Civil Partnership Act gives same-sex partnerships the same rights as

heterosexual marriages meaning that gay couples in the UK, aged 16 and over, can

gain legal recognition for their relationship.

Sources: General Register Office, The Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977, The Civil                Partnership Act 2004.

34.At what age may a young person enter into a legal contract?

The age of majority, according to the Family Law Reform Act, is 18, and the Minor's

Contract Act 1987 states that contracts made under the age of majority shall be

unenforceable.  The exception is the making of an employment contract is made with

a young person aged over 16.

Sources:  Minor's Contract Act 1987, Family Law Reform Act 1969, Working Time           Regulations 1998.

35.At what age can a child open a bank account?

Anyone is entitled to open a bank account but banks set their own age rules and

you will usually have to be 16 to open a basic account.  Children under 15 will

not normally be offered a cheque account although savings accounts will be offered.  If the bank sets the minimum age at 18 for a basic account then there are other accounts that will usually be offered.

Sources:  Financial Services Authority (FSA), British Bankers Association.

36.What rules exist governing working hours for young people?

The Local Authority determines restrictions on the number of hours a 13 year old

may be employed in paid performances, sports and modelling for example. The

working hours for 14 year olds are limited to five hours on Saturday or any other

non-school day (but only two hours on Sunday), and 2 hours a day on a school day.

 They may not work longer than a total of 12 hours in a school week, and they must

have at least two consecutive non-school weeks of no work a year.

Young workers (16-18) may not ordinarily work more than eight hours a day or 40

hours a week.  These hours cannot be averaged out.  However young workers may work

longer hours if it is necessary to respond to a surge in demand and there is no

adult available to perform the task.

Young workers in the armed forces are excluded from working time limits.

Sources:  Working Time Regulations 1998

37.What rules exist governing wages rates for young people?

The minimum wage is a legal right which covers almost all workers above compulsory

school leaving age.  For children under 16 there is no minimum wage, and the

minimum wage rules do not apply to 16-17 year old apprentices.

In October 2006 the rate for 16-17 year old increased from £3.00 to £3.30 per hour.

For 18-21 year olds the rate increased from £4.25 to £4.45. For 16-17 year old

apprentices the minimum wage rules do not apply.

Sources:  The Low Pay Commission, Working Time Regulations 1998.

38.What is the earliest age for recruitment into the armed services?

A British Citizen or a British Subject under the British Nationality Act 1981, or

a citizen of the Irish Republic must be between 16-30 years of age on the day of

enlistment.  Young people under the age of 18 require parental consent.  Enlisted

service personnel are committed to serve a minimum of four years and up to

22 years, but for those joining before they are 18 the four years service starts

from their 18th birthday.

A person must be over 17 years and nine months old and under 29 years of age on

entry to join the army as an officer.

Sources:  www.army.mod.uk

39.Is there a requirement to undertake compulsory military service?

There has been no compulsory military service in the UK since 1960.  British

conscription first ended in 1919, but was resumed immediately before the Second

World War.  In 1941, women were also made eligible for conscription, but women

with dependent children were exempt.  After the war conscription for men continued

for another 15 years.

The UN Commission on Human Rights has, since 1987, recognised the right of everyone

 to have ‘conscientious objections to compulsory military service as legitimate

exercise of the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion.’

Sources:

https://mediawise.demon.co.uk/egroupware/redirect.php?go=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ppu.org.uk%2C Military Training Act 1939, National Service (Armed Forces)               Act 1939, UN Convention on Human Rights

40.What is the earliest age for ownership of a gun?

The only firearms that a private citizen can carry in the UK are an un-modified

shotgun (under licence and by either a farmer or a member of a clay pigeon shooting

club) or an air pistol.  In order to shoot game with a shotgun a separate licence

is required.

A person under the age of 17 may not purchase a firearm or ammunition and it is

also an offence to make a gift of an air weapon or ammunition to a person under the

age of 17.

A young person between 14-16 years may shoot an air weapon on private premises

providing they have the prior consent of the owner/occupier and providing the

missile fired does not go beyond the boundary of those premises.

No one under 17 years of age may have with them an air weapon at any time, unless

supervised by someone who is at least 21 years and they are shooting at an approved

target shooting club or shooting gallery.

Sources:  The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, The Police National Legal Database.

41.Whose permission is required to publish photographs of children?

Normally the consent of an appropriate adults (parent or guardian) should be

sought before taking the photograph of or filming a child. (For the purposes of

BBC Editorial Guidelines, a child is someone under the age of 15 years. Young

people are those aged 15, 16 and 17). To reduce the risk of images being used

inappropriately, children should normally be photographed in suitable dress.

Images of living individuals are classed as personal data under the Data Protection

 Act. Breaching the Data Protection Act by not obtaining permission may result in

a prosecution and damages being awarded to the person in the image.

Sources:  Data Protection Act 1998, Editors’ Code of Practice, NUJ Code of Conduct,

Ofcom Codes, BBC Producer Guidelines, MediaWise Guides UNICEF Principles for

Ethical Reporting

42.What are the rules governing media interviews of children?

Journalists are required by law to obtain permission from the local authority to

interview children under 18 years old who are in care.  Permission should normally

be sought from parents or guardians of children under 16 who are not in care.

When working with schools, permission must be sought from the head teacher. Young

people should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary media

intrusion.

The child and/or guardian should know they are talking with a reporter and the

intended use of the interview. Reporters and photographers should take into

consideration the circumstances in which a child is being interviewed, and avoid

intimidation through the presence of large numbers.

Children should not be expected to take part on a ‘staged’ story, nor tell a story

or take an action that is not part of their own history. In choosing children to

interview, should they be discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, age,

religion, educational background or physical abilities. They should not be asked

questions or encouraged to make comments which are judgemental, place a child in

danger or expose them to humiliation.

Sources:  Data Protection Act 1998, NUJ Code of Conduct, Ofcom Codes, BBC Producer

Guidelines, MediaWise Guides, Interviewing Children: A Guide for Journalists and

Others, McCrum and Hughes, 1998 Save the Children, UNICEF Principles for Ethical

Reporting

43.What are the rules governing identification of children in media stories?

Where permission has been obtained by an appropriate adult for the child to be

interviewed, only information about the child that is relevant to the story should

be used, including whether names, ages, year group and school names should be

published.  A child’s name should normally be used only with the consent of parents

when the child is under 16.

In any media report of a case involving a sexual offence against a child, the child

 must not be identified.  The press must also not (even if legally free to do so)

identify children under 16 who are witnesses in cases involving sex offences.

Young people involved in criminal cases may be granted anonymity by the court, and

breaches of such orders may be punishable by a fine of up to £2,000.

A Court of Appeal ruling in 2006 ended the automatic ban on identifying children

involved in family court cases, and judges must now decide whether entitlement to

anonymity should outweigh the right to freedom of expression. However publicity

will not be allowed if it might be considered to cause harm or distress to a child.

Sources:  Editors’ Code of Practice, Children and Young Persons Act 2001, Data

Protection  Act 1998, NUJ Code of Conduct, Ofcom Codes, BBC Producer Guidelines,

UNICEF Principles for Ethical Reporting, MediaWise Guides,

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/

44.What are the rules governing working with children in the media?

Children should normally be accompanied by an appropriate adult, and be protected by normal health and safety requirements and Child Protection policies should be in place. Their interests and safety should take priority over editorial needs. If a child or young person is considered to be at risk in any way, the appropriate authorities should be informed.

Sources: Editors Code of Practice, Ofcom Codes,  BBC Producer Guidelines, MediaWise

Guides, UNICEF Principles for Ethical Reporting.

45.At what age may children have their own passports?

Until recently, babies and children could be included on their parent/guardian's

passport.  The law now requires that babies and children up to 16 years old who

are not already on their parent/guardian's passport must have their own child

passport to travel abroad.  This is to help prevent child abduction (including by

one parent or guardian against the wishes of the other).

Sources:  UK Passport Service

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