Many of the laws and rights that apply to adults also cover young people. For example the laws affecting:

• Race discrimination
• Sex discrimination
• Disability discrimination
• Religious or political discrimination

all represent the rights of everyone regardless of age.

Useful organisations
Commission on Equality and Human Rights
A national statutory commission providing information on disabled rights, racial equality and equal opportunities. The CEHR has the power to enforce equality and human rights legislation.

Community Safety Advisory Service (C.S.A.S)
The C.S.A.S. aims to assist the voluntary sector in preventing crime and to provide advice and information on crime prevention.
London Action Trust,
88 Clapham Road,
London,
SW9 0JR

Bully Online
A website providing resources on workplace bullying and related issues.

Brent Indian Association
Provides, amongst other things, an advice and advocacy service on issues affecting the Indian community in Brent.
116 Ealing Road,
Wembley,
Middlesex,
HA0 4TH
020 8903 3019

Brent Youth Action
Unit 23/28,
Bridge Park,
Brentfield,
Harrow Road,
NW10 0RG,
020 8961 2065
A charity that aims to “support young people in crime and safety issues like personal safety, bullying, racism” and to help them to develop solutions and take action.

Brent Council
1. The Brent Council Community Safety Team provides information on personal safety, crime prevention and crime reporting.
http://www.brent.gov.uk/commsafe.nsf
Brent Community Safety Team,
Quality House,
249 Willesden Lane,
London,
NW2 5JH.

2. A web page providing details on what constitutes harassment and the laws that serve to protect members of the public.
http://www.brent.gov.uk/services.nsf/0/e25141732bc4222b80256ecc00573fd6!OpenDocument

There are some laws which are there to protect your rights as an individual and again, have no age restrictions. These cover areas such as:

• Data protection
• Access to personal information/ records
• Maternity/paternity rights

Laws affecting young people

There are some laws that do include information that is specifically relevant to young people and apply to certain ages.
For example

• the selling of alcohol is illegal to under 18s
• Local employment bylaws will limit the hours and employers that you can work for, whilst you are under 16 and attending school.
  

Whilst some of these laws are decided at local (council) level and the rules will change from council to council, others require government legislation and are therefore the same across the country.

Proof of age
To protect yourself and retailers from breaking the law, we suggest you get hold of a proof of age card. These are available from:

P.A.S.S Scheme
The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (P.A.S.S) is a national scheme run by the Trading Standards Institute that aims to set standards for proof of age card that can be accepted nationally.

Citizen Card
This is a proof of age scheme that works across the UK for all age groups.

Validate UK
This is a proof of age card that is available to all age groups and can be accepted across the UK.

Employment
For further information about the local legislation around proof of age and employment (age/hours of work), contact the Brent Education Welfare Service on (8) 937 3310. The following organisations may also be of help

directgov
The Direct Government website aims to provide a single website that allows members of the public to access the information held and services run by local and central government. This webpage provides a directory of links to websites with information on such topics as health and safety at work, employment contracts, discrimination and redundancy.

The Advice, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
The service provides a detailed database of employment rights and responsibilities. The Service will also seek to mediate disputes between employers and employees.

H.M. Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
The website provides useful information on the child benefits system, pay and taxation.
The organisation provides a useful guide to the national minimum wage.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/
The Closest HMRC Enquiry Centre is:
Valiant House,
365 High Street,
Wembley,
HA9 6AY

Punishment
It is illegal for anyone in authority to hit or be physically abusive to you.
However, teachers are allowed to use acceptable levels of restraint if you are causing physical injury to another person or damage to property.

Smacking
Parents, foster parents or carers do have the legal right to smack the young people in their care - but it can not be strong enough to leave a mark. If it does, they can be prosecuted and the child taken into care.

In police custody

• If you are over ten the police can finger print and search you in custody
• If you are aged over 16 and involved in anti-social behaviour you can be issued with a penalty notice (an on the spot fine) by either a police officer or a community support officer.
• There are very strict guidelines that the police must follow when arresting and interviewing young people. If these laws are not followed, the case can be thrown out.

For more information on these and the other laws and rights included above we suggest you contact:

The Citizens Advice Bureau – www.adviceguide.org.uk

Kilburn Youth Centre – Advice Service,
79 Kingsgate Rd, London. NW6 4JY
020 7625 2229 www.kilburnyouthcentre.org.uk

Connexions Centre
169-171 High Rd, Willesden. NW10 2SD Tel. 020 8438 1650. It is open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.