can i move out at 16 if still in education?

[jo-jo]

i am in secondary school and i was wondering if i can move out without a parents consent when i turn 16, please give detailed answer because i really need to knoe about the education part, thanks

[sandyRoe]

What would you live on? Where would you live and how would you pay your way?

[bednobs]

yes.

[Chickadee]

Don't know the legalities of this but if you are in secondary education where would you live?

[bednobs]

ps, what other detail do you need apart from "yes"?

[boxtops]

How would you buy food and pay for light and heat?

[sara3]

legally yes, education has no bearing on where you choose to live.

so what are your plans? how will you eat? buy your school stuff, etc?

[jo-jo]

hi everyone i will answer all your questions in this message -
if i wanted to live with a different family member like an auntie or uncle would that be legal even if i am living with the parent of the other side of my family? the person im living with would support me, if your woundering the reasons why i would like to move out, its because i am struggling with my school work which is very important now as i am in year ten because of problems within the household, thank you for the quick answers.

[bednobs]

yes, legal
yes yes yes.
Don't know what else to say really!

[Buenchico]

You've posted your question within the 'Law' category and the simple, legal answer to your question is 'Yes'.

At the age of 16 you have the right to leave home and (if you so choose) never to have any contact with your parents again. If you moved away (without telling them where you were going) and your parents reported you as 'missing' the police would be barred from revealing your location to your parents.

The fact that you're still at school doesn't change the basic legal position whatsoever. However, until you reach the official school leaving date (which, if you're in Year 11 in England or Wales, will be Friday 24th June 2011) your parents will still be legally obliged to ensure that you attend school and could face prosecution if you didn't.

However there are plenty of other (non-legal) issues which would need to be addressed, such as where you'd live and what money you'd live on.

Chris

[RATTER15]

Yes

[jo-jo]

one other thing i was wondering is, could i just up and leave, like just leave a letter or something or would i have to inform my gaurdian face to face? the reason i ask is because i have tried in the past to move in with a different family member but my gaurdian stopped me from leaving the house, would really appreciate the laws on this cause i can't find detailed enough answers, thanks.

[carmalee]

If you are going to do it can't you all sit down and talk about it rationally. If you put your case forward in a mature sensible way there is a chance all parties will agree - admittedly I don't know the full story but if poss, try not to fall out with your parents. Explain what a negative effect the 'household environment ' is having on your school work and how import it is to you to do well (then work your socks off!) - is there maybe a school counsellor you can speak with first?

[bednobs]

yes. You don't even have to leave them a note. Although it would be nice to, to save them worry

[jo-jo]

i am writing back to carmalee - um, thank you for the answer, i have tried to talk about it rationally with my gaurdian but every time i have tried they havent said anything back to me and when i have left it to see if they will think about it and get back to me they dont, i would like to stay at my home but it really isnt working, it has been this way for a while to be honest, and i have also tried talking to the school's counsillers but nothing have been sorted or confronted at all, and so i am now just trying to fine out as much information as i can so that i can think about this properly before going ahead and trying to do something that isnt going to work.
thank you to everyone else also for your information.

[carmalee]

shame Jo Jo, sounds as though you really do need someone sensible to talk to - what about giving the counseller another shot and stress this has to get sorted - what about a sympathetic teacher or relative? You could ask the relatives you want to go live with to come with you to speak with your guardian.

[jo-jo]

carmalee - i would get the family member to do that, but its complicated cause my gaurdian is i guess you could say, hot headed and he doesnt like the other side of the family which is the side i want to live with which is a problem, because i dont want anything to start because then i will have to deal with that which will also cause stress for me. thanks for understanding, any other suggestions? cause you are very insightful.

[carmalee]

Can only repeat what I've said - you need someone you can trust to help you get this sorted- you say you've spoken before to your guardian and nothing has happened which suggests either you aren't being taken too seriously or your guardian is unwilling to face up to the fact that you have taken a steps towards securing your own future. Keep talking to your guardian, relatives and/or teacher until this is sorted. I appreciate it's a difficult situation but try not to be too confrontational. Keep us updated

[jo-jo]

carmalee - okay, thanks for all your help.

[carmalee]

you are very welcome Jo Jo -

[cassa333]

My neice (now 27) became 'emancipated' when she was 16.

She was just a 'bl@ody minded like so and so' but she did get the la to rehouse her and before anyone says anything it was a grotty little room in a hostel. She was still at school and when she went on to uni she got a full grant because he was emancipated so she had no parent legaly responsible for her.

She is now a lawyer in London.