At what age is a child no longer considered a minor?

pipkin71

I'm going to be having a meeting with social services with regards my care package as my eldest has turned 16.

The woman I spoke to recently wasn't sure if she would still be considered a minor so wondered if anyone knew, from a social services point of view, at what age the child is no longer a minor.

Also, I read that carers over the age of 16 can apply for direct payments. Does this suggest the child is no longer considered a minor?

https://www.gov.uk/apply-direct-payments

Thanks

mysterywoman10

It's a bit of a grey area in terms of classification hence the other thread

I do know that disabled young people qualify in their own right for benefits at 16.

You are correct about 16 for carer's DP in their own right and

also a disabled young person also can in their own right (but this is with capacity to manage it themselves) so if they had SLD for example it would probably stay with the parent until 18 and beyond and/or a third party.

So yes following a carer's assessment of her needs as a carer she could be given a DP.

Richie-from-the-Boro

There' no no single law that defines the age of a child. In child protection terms England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all agree its 18 (-) Particularly vulnerable groups such as 'care leavers' can have the protection extended to age 21.

- a child is under 16
- a young person is 16-18
- an adult is 18 plus