Expressing your views
As you get older, you can make more decisions about your life. From age 16, you are assumed to have the ability to make your own decisions unless there is evidence that you cannot make a particular decision. Until you are 18, this sits alongside the responsibility your parents or carers have for you.
Some young people and adults need support to share their views. An advocate can help. This is someone who speaks up for you. Visit our advice and advocacy to learn more.
Some young people, and some parents, may not be able to make certain decisions. This may be due to a learning disability, autism, brain injury or a mental health need. In these cases, we may carry out an assessment. This checks if a person can make a specific decision.
The Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Children and Families Act (2014) set out key rules:
- Start by thinking that everyone can make their own decisions, unless shown otherwise.
- Give all the help and support needed to make and share a decision.
- A person is not lacking capacity just because they make a risky or unwise choice.
- Any decision made for someone without capacity must be in their best interests.
- Decisions made for someone without capacity should limit their freedom as little as possible.
You can also watch a video from NHS Somerset Foundation Trust to learn more.
Help managing decisions or money
Some people may need support to make decisions or manage their money. There are different arrangements depending on what support you need. Make sure professionals are recording your strengths, communication needs and decision-making abilities as part of Preparing for Adulthood planning.
- appointeeship to manage benefits
- Lasting Power of Attorney, where you choose someone to make certain decisions for you
- deputyship, where the Court of Protection appoints someone to make particular decisions if you cannot make them yourself.
These arrangements do not mean that someone else can make all your decisions. Your ability to make a decision must be considered for each decision at the time it needs to be made.
Contact explains parental responsibility, mental capacity and the different ways someone can make decisions on behalf of another person.
Voting
Voting is how people make choices in a group. This is called democracy. It may be called an election, a poll or a ballot. In the UK, you can vote for someone to represent you. They make decisions that affect everyone.
You can vote in adult local and national elections if you:
- are age 18 or over
- a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- live in the UK
People with a learning disability or mental health need to have the same right to vote.
You must register before you can vote. You can register from age 16. You must register again if you move home. You can do this online at GOV.UK.
You need to register to vote every time you move home. This is when you say how you would like to vote.
You vote by marking your choice on a ballot paper. You can vote:
- At a polling station – you will get a poll card before the election. It tells you where to go. Put your ballot paper in the box.
- By post – you get a ballot paper in the post and send it back.
- By proxy – someone you choose votes for you.
You cannot vote online in any government, adult elections.
If you vote at a polling station, support is available:
- large print papers and tools to help if you have sight loss
- help from staff or someone you bring with you
- ramps and space for wheelchair users
You should be able to vote on your own and feel confident.
You need photo ID to vote in person. This can be a driving licence or passport. If you do not have these, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.