Skills for the Job: Providing advice on legal aid

Under what circumstances may a child or young person require civil legal assistance?

Children and young people experience two million civil legal problems each year, but only seven per cent manage to get advice from a recognised source of legal advice. Children are most likely to need legal advice in relation to their rights as children. This may be about help with cases in the family court, getting support from social services, problems to do with their education, and immigration or asylum issues. In many cases, children can instruct lawyers themselves, but often will need an adult (a parent, carer or guardian) to help make contact with and work with lawyers. In most cases before the family court or the High Court, an adult will need to instruct the solicitor. Young people aged 16 to 24, particularly those living independently, often need advice in additional areas like housing, homelessness, welfare benefits, debt, employment and rights as care leavers.