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Your rights: The European dimension

Your rights - United Kingdom

There’s a lot of talk about ‘rights’, but what are they and what can you do to make sure yours are respected? Everyone has the right to equal treatment regardless of his or her age, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, nationality, beliefs, sexuality or ability. UK citizens have the right to live and work in any other EU country, and citizens of other EU member states also have the right to live and work in the UK. Find out more from these sites.

Adviceguide

Online advice on your rights (including civil rights and immigration), consumer affairs, family issues and money matters. You can select information for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk [BN][ZH][EN][GU][PA][UR][CY]

Advicenow

Helps to make the law easier to understand. The site has advice on topics such as benefits, employment rights, health, housing and homelessness, money and taxation, and police and crime.

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/go/index [EN]

British Youth Council

Helps young people, whether as individuals or as members of groups, to organise and take action on matters that concern them.

http://www.byc.org.uk [EN]

Centrepoint

For children and young people who are homeless or are facing homelessness. Find out about where you can get help and advice, and read the real life stories of young people. There’s information on the education, training and employment opportunities open to young homeless people.

http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/ [EN]

Charter88

Don't see the point in voting? Think that rights have nothing to do with you? Read about why this organisation thinks that you should know your rights as a citizen. Find out about reform of the voting system and government.

http://www.charter88.org.uk/ [EN]

Children's Legal Centre

Want to know how the law affects children and young people? This is the site you need. It has comprehensive information on topics such as working, adoption, crime, benefits and health.

http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com [EN]

Community Legal Service

If you need help with a legal problem, try this site. Find a lawyer, call the free helpline for advice, or have a look at the online advice. Information applies to England and Wales, but there are links to Scottish Legal Aid Board and Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission as well.

http://www.clsdirect.org.uk [BN][ZH][EN][GU][PA][UR][CY]

Community and Local Government - Race, Cohesion and Faith

Find out about the government's policies on the family, racial equality, human rights, active communities and more. Join a discussion forum to have your say!

http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1500185 [EN]

Directgov - Children's Rights

This site contains information on the basic and fundamental human rights enjoyed by every child in the UK. There is another site on the rules that apply to children of school age at work. Additionally you can information and advice on education, health issues, crime prevention and much more.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/FamilyIssuesAndTheLaw/ChildrensRights/i [EN]

National Association for Youth Justice

Supports the rights of children and young people who are in trouble with the law. Read the comments on the law as it affects young people and the reports on justice for children who are involved in crime or are in prison.

http://www.nayj.org.uk [EN]

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Get advice on keeping yourself safe, and find out what you can do to stop bullying or abuse. Call the helpline if you need further information - it’s free and it’s confidential. There are special helplines for children in Wales and for children from South Asian backgrounds.

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/homepage2 [EN]

Rightsnet

This site is designed to help advice workers, but it’s useful for the public as well, as it gives you access to free leaflets and information. Go to Swopshop to get advice for young people and students, guidance on family benefits, information for immigrants, and more.

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk [EN]

The Who cares? Trust

The Trust is a national charity working to improve public care for around 60,000 children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care. There is a network in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and around the world.

http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/ [EN]

Votes at 16

At 16 you can do many things - get married, join the army, work full time and pay taxes. But one thing you can’t do is vote. If you think this is an odd state of affairs, see this site for more information.

http://www.votesat16.org.uk [EN]

England and Wales: Carelaw

Information about being 'in care', including your rights and what happens after you leave care.

http://nchacti01.uuhost.uk.uu.net/carelaw/index.shtml [EN]

England and Wales: National Youth Advocacy Service

If you are in trouble with the law and need help, then contact this service. They run a free and confidential advice service for children and young people. They can also represent you at hearings where decisions are being taken about you and your future.

http://www.nyas.net [EN]

England: Children's Rights Alliance for England

Works to promote the rights of children and young people in England. Download fact sheets on how the law affects children, discover what sort of campaigns the organisation supports and find out how you can get involved.

http://www.crae.org.uk [EN]

England: Children's Society

Provides access to free leaflets that give advice on a range of problems faced by young people. Find out about the campaigns the Society is involved in, and search for services in your local area.

http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk [EN]

Northern Ireland: Children's Law Centre

Contains information written specifically for young people (scroll down the page and look for the green links). Covers human rights, equality issues, benefits, employment, being looked after, being excluded from school, crime and justice. You can also write to, phone or email the Chalky service for further information on your rights.

http://www.childrenslawcentre.org [EN]

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

This site explains who the commissioner is and what the commissioner can do for children and young people. There’s a children’s rights game to play, contact details and links to other useful sites.

http://www.niccy.org [EN]

Northern Ireland: Online NI

Easy-access information from the government on all areas of life: family and civil law, benefits entitlement, employment, education, health and more.

http://www.onlineni.net/index/individuals.htm [EN]

Scotland: Article 12 in Scotland

By young people for young people. 12 to 18 year olds from all over Scotland helped put together the information on this site. It gives you the basics on your rights, in easy to understand language.

http://www.article12.org/ [EN]

Scotland: Law Society of Scotland

Legal information, written specifically for young people. Scroll down the page for emergency contact numbers. Find out what you can do at different ages, and discover how the law affects you in the areas of housing, jobs, school, family problems, health, children's hearings, money and more.

http://www.lawscot.org.uk/Public_Information/Public_Information_Children/ [EN]

Scotland: Legal Services Agency

You can’t exercise your rights if you don’t know what they are, so get yourself clued up with the help of this site. The agency educates people about the law, and provides advice and representation for disadvantaged people. In particular, they can help people having problems with housing, benefits, immigration and mental health.

http://www.lsa.org.uk [EN]

Scotland: Who Cares Scotland

Information for those who are 'in care' or are in contact with social services. Discover your rights, and learn what you can do if you think you're being denied them.

http://www.whocaresscotland.org/ [EN]

Wales: Children's Commissioner for Wales

The Children's Commissioner represents the interests of young people living in Wales. Learn more about who the commissioner is, what powers he has and how he can help you.

http://www.childcom.org.uk [EN][CY]

Wales: Council for Education on World Citizenship

If you want to find out about citizenship in a global context, then this is the place to go. The council runs a range of projects for schools, and you can download some of its documents from this site as well.

http://www.cewc-cymru.org.uk/index.cfm?lang=we&lang=en [EN][CY]