Parental responsibility

Parental responsibility is the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority a parent or carer has for a child and the child's property.

A person who has parental responsibility for a child has the right to make decisions about their care and upbringing.

The level of parental responsibility you have for the child affects:

• What decisions you can make about the child
• When you must get the parents' permission
• When you must get the permission of children's services

Anyone looking after somebody else's child, (for example a child minder, babysitter, teacher) can act in loco parentis. This means they can take immediate steps to keep a child safe and well.

Apply for parental responsibility

As a friends and family (kinship) carer you may have to gain parental responsibility by getting an order from court.

How to apply for parental responsibility on the GOV.UK website.