Your Rights

All people in the UK, including children and young people have rights. The government and public authorities are legally obliged to respect your rights.

You also have the responsibility to respect other people's rights.

Take Action: Learn about your rights under the Equality Act 2010.

Human Rights Act

The Human Rights Act 1998 says what rights people have in the UK. 

Some of these rights are very basic, like the right to life. Others affect your everyday life, what you can say and do, and your beliefs. There are also legal rights, like your right to a fair trial.

You have the responsibility to respect other people's rights, and they must respect yours.

Instant Expert: Find out more about human rights at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Children's rights in Oxfordshire

The UK agreed to follow the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on 16 December 1991. This means the UK government makes sure every child has all the rights outlined in the convention, except in those areas where the government has entered a specific reservation. In 2000, Oxfordshire County Council signed up.

Rights of the child

All children up to the age of 18 years have all the rights in the Convention. 

Some groups of children and young people, for example those living away from home, and young disabled people have additional rights to make sure they are treated fairly and their needs are met.

As a child or young person, you have certain rights. These are set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and comprises four main beliefs:

1. You should not suffer discrimination.
2. Your best interests should be most important when decisions about you are being made.
3. You have the right to survive and develop. This includes the right to mental and physical well-being.
4. You should be free to express your views. These views should be taken into account in all matters that affect you.

Your rights in Oxfordshire

These rights guide all the services we provide for you:

• You have a right to be heard.
• You have a right to express yourself.
• You have rights, whoever you are, wherever you are from.

These apply to everyone, regardless of age.