Glossary – lawstuff.org.uk (original) (raw)

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• 1

• 11+ ExamAn exam you can take before leaving primary school in order to get into a grammar secondary school

• a

• AbductionWhen a person takes or sends you outside of England or Wales without the permission of those with Parental Responsibility for you
• AbroadOut of the country
• AbsentBeing away from where you are meant to be - for example, being away from school
• AbuseTo cause someone harm
• Academic YearThe school year from September to July
• AcademyA type of school which gives free education, and which has more independence than most secondary schools
• Accommodated ChildrenThis is when you are looked after by the Local Authority under section 20 of the Children Act 1989
• AccommodationHousing
• AccusedWhen people think you have done something, for example you can be accused of a crime
• ADHDAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a condition that makes it very hard for people to concentrate
• AdoptLegally become the parent of and adult responsible for a child
• AdoptionA legal process where you become a permanent and full member of a new family. Your birth parents lose Parental Responsibility and your new parents get Parental Responsibility for you
• Adoption Contact RegisterA register you can use to either find your birth family or ask for no contact with your birth family
• AdviceHelp deciding what to do
• AdvocateA professional who can help you express your wishes and feelings to Children's Services and make sure you are fairly treated. They can go to meetings on your behalf, give you information and help you make a complaint
• AgreementWhen people have the same opinion
• AlcoholThe part of drinks like wine, beer or spirits which is a legal drug but can be dangerous
• AnonymouslyWithout anyone knowing who you are
• Anti-socialBehaviour that is unacceptable
• Appeal Appealing a decision means asking for it to be looked at again. You can appeal if you think that the decision has been made incorrectly
• ApprenticeshipA way of learning through work - for example, you can do an apprenticeship to be a plumber or hairdresser, where you work and study at the same time. You will be paid a small amount for your work
• Appropriate AdultA person over 18 who will support you if you are at the police station or are being interviewed by the police. They must be there by law if you are interviewed, searched, fingerprinted, photographed, giving DNA or being tested for drugs
• ArrangementsPlan or agreement
• ArrestWhere a police officer uses the law to take you into custody, usually to a police station because they believe you have been involved in crime or were about to be involved in a crime. A police officer may use force to put you under arrest
• AssessmentLooking at someone or something and deciding what happens to them and what they need
• AssistanceHelp or support
• AssistantSomeone whose job it is to help or assist
• AsylumSafe place
• Asylum SeekerSomeone who needs protection from bad treatment
• Attendance registerA list of names at school so the teacher knows who's there and who isn't
• AuthorisedAn agreement has been made for this to happen
• AutismA mental health condition where the person can struggle to communicate and form relationships with others

• b

• BailIf you are arrested or charged with a crime you may be allowed to leave the police station on bail. You will have to return to court on a particular day and may have certain things you can and cannot do. If you do not stick to the bail conditions you may be arrested again
• BarristerA legal professional who represents you in court
• Best interestsWhat is decided is the best thing for you
• Biological parentsBirth parents
• Biometric Resident PermitAn official document giving you permission to stay in the UK
• Birth RecordsAn official document giving details of your birth
• BullyingBehaviour intended to upset someone else, it can be violence, teasing, threats and sending nasty messages online
• BurglaryStealing
• BursaryWhen someone else pays for your education fees and you do not have to pay them back

• c

• CAFCASSCAFCASS is the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service who might talk to you if there is a case in the Family court about you. They have to check that you are safe and can write a report to the court about what they believe is in your best interests
• CaffeineA drug contained in tea or coffee which can keep you awake
• CAMHSCAMHS is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which is part of the NHS. CAMHS can support you if, for example, you feel anxious, have trouble talking or sleeping, have problems eating, find it hard to concentrate and many other things
• CannabisAn illegal drug, also known as hash, skunk, weed, pot, marijuana, grass, dope and ganja
• Care OrderIf you are at risk of significant harm and your parents cannot meet your needs, Children's Services can apply for a Care Order to get Parental Responsibility for you and place you somewhere safe
• CarerA person who looks after you who is not your parent or guardian
• Care SystemIf you are looked after by Children's Services, with the agreement of your parents or under a care order, then you will be in the care system
• ChargeTo be charged is to be formally accused of a crime by the police
• Charge SheetThis tells you exactly what crime you have been charged with
• Child Arrangements OrderAn order from the court which says who you will live with, and who you have contact with. For example, this could tell you which parent you live with and when you spend time with your other parent
• Child Assessment OrderAn order from the court allowing a social worker to have you medically assessed. You can refuse if you fully understand the situation
• Child in NeedIf you are disabled or need support for your health or development the Local Authority can provide services and support to you and your family as a child in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989
• Child MaintenanceMoney to help with your living costs paid by the parent you do not live with
• Child Protection PlanIf Children's Services think you are at risk they might put a Child Protection Plan in place which says things your parents or carers need to do to keep you safe
• Children's GuardianA professional from CAFCASS who might talk to you if your parents go to court to find out what you want to happen. The Guardian will speak to the court on your behalf
• Children's ServicesA department of the Local Authority who must identify and protect children at risk of harm, provide support to children in need and are responsible for children in care. Used to be known as Social Services
• Child Safety OrderAn order from the court if you have committed a crime under the age of 10. It places you under the supervision of a social worker or member of the Youth Offending Team
• Civil partnershipA relationship between same sex couples which is recognised in law. It is very similar to marriage
• Clerk of CourtA person who works for the court to make sure it runs smoothly
• CocaineA very addictive class A illegal drug which is usually in the form of a white powder
• Code of PracticeThe rules that the police must follow when you are arrested and taken to the police station. You will be allowed to see this
• CommitTo carry out
• Community Care SolicitorA legal professional who specialises in matters involving Children's Services. They can help you if you are homeless and under 18, in care or leaving care
• Community ServiceA form of punishment instead of going to prison. Community service usually means doing things for your community like picking up litter
• CompensationSomething given when someone has done something wrong to make up for it; this could be money
• ComplaintTelling the people involved that you think they did something wrong
• ConfidentialKept private or secret
• ConfiscateTake away, for example a teacher can confiscate your phone until the end of the lesson
• ConflictDisagreement, different opinions, a clash
• Connected personA connected person may be your relative or friend or someone else you know, such as a teacher, a babysitter or a neighbour
• ConsentGiving permission
• Contact CentreAn official place where you can spend time with one or both parents and sometimes other family members. It may be supervised
• Contact OrderAn order from the court which says who you have contact with, for example when you spend time with the parent you do not live with
• ContraceptionSomething which prevents the risk of getting pregnant. This is usually either a condom, a pill, an implant, injection or a coil
• ConvictedFound guilty of a crime
• CounsellingGoing to see a counsellor to talk about any problems you are having
• CounsellorA professional who listens to you and talks through any problems you might have
• Court OrderLegally binding decision made by the court
• CrimeSomething which is against the law
• Criminal OffenceSomething which is against the law
• Criminal RecordIf you have a criminal record it means you have committed a crime. Some things will not go on your criminal record as a young person
• Criminal ResponsibilityWhen you can be arrested or charged with a crime, the age of criminal responsibility is 10
• Crown CourtThe court that deals with the most serious criminal cases
• CustodyBeing held in a place, for example if the police take you to the station you are being taken into custody
• Custody Sergeant/officerThe person in charge of your care and welfare if you have been arrested and taken to the police station

• d

• Deed PollA legal document that changes your name
• DefenceIf you've been accused of a crime the person who is arguing for your side is the defence, and they are defending you.
• DefendantThe person accused of a crime in a criminal case
• DegradingSomething causing a loss of self respect or humiliation
• Deputy Head teacherThe teacher who is in charge of the school when the head teacher is not there, the second in command
• Designated teacherA senior teacher in your school whose job is to take care of all looked after children in the school
• DetainedBeing held in a place which limits your freedom for example in a police station or secure accommodation
• DevelopmentHow you grow or change
• DignityRespect for who you are and protection from humiliation and embarrassment
• DisabilityHaving a physical or mental condition which makes it difficult to do day to day things
• Disability DiscriminationBeing treated differently because of a disability
• Discretionary Leave to RemainA status allowing you to stay in the country because no one in you country can look after you. Since April 2013 this is known as Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child leave
• DiscriminationBeing treated differently because of your race, gender, sex, age, religion or disability
• DistressedWorried, scared, nervous, very uneasy
• Domestic ViolenceAbuse in the home between partners or family members. This can be physical violence, sexual abuse or being very controlling over someone's life and their money
• DutyIf someone has a duty to do something it means they have to do it
• Duty SolicitorA legal professional at court who will advise you on the law for free if you do not have your own solicitor
• DyslexiaA learning difficulty which makes it hard for you to spell, write or read

• e

• EcstasyAn illegal class A drug
• Educational PsychologistA professional who will work with you if you have learning difficulties to check what help you might need in school. They might write a report to the local authority and your school to make sure you get the help you need
• Educational RecordInformation your school holds about you, including school reports and your grades. You or your parents can ask for a copy of these to be given to you
• Education Health and Care Needs AssessmentIf you have learning difficulties, you might need extra help at school. Your Local Authority can do an assessment to find out what help you need. If you are aged 16-25 you can ask for an assessment yourself, if you are under 16 your school and/or your parents can ask for an assessment
• Education Health and Care PlanIf you have learning difficulties, you might need extra help at school. Your Local Authority can write a plan which sets out your Special Educational Needs and outlines what help you need at school. Your school must follow this by law
• Education Welfare OfficerA person who works for the local authority to help children who have low attendance and other problems at school
• Electronically MonitoredIf you have committed a crime you might be required to wear a tag which will check that you stick to your curfew
• EmbassyAn embassy is a point of government for one country that is located inside another, for example if you are abroad you can go to the British Embassy to get help from the government. You can also find many other embassies in England, if you are not from the UK you can go to these for help
• Emergency Protection OrderIf you are at immediate risk of harm the court can give permission for your Local Authority to investigate. The Local Authority will get Parental Responsibility for you while this order is active
• EmploymentA job or work that you are paid to do
• EntitledA right to have something
• EvidenceIf you give evidence in court, you give your account of what happened. Evidence can also mean proof that something happened
• ExcessiveToo much
• ExcludedTo be excluded is a form of punishment that the school can use for bad behaviour. You can be excluded for a set number of days or permanently. Also known as being expelled
• ExclusionExclusion is a form of punishment that the school can use for bad behaviour. You can be excluded for a set number of days or permanently. Also known as expulsion
• ExploitationTaking advantage of someone or treating them unfairly to benefit from their work. For example, if you are forced to do jobs without pay or act in a sexual way, this could be exploitation
• ExternallyOutside the organisation

• f

• Family Court AdvisorIf there is a court case about you in the Family Court you might meet a Family Court Adviser. This is a professional from CAFCASS (The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service). They must tell the Family Court the best course of action for you
• Family Court JudgeThe person who will make a decision in a court case in the Family Court about you. For example, they might decide which parent you live with, when you spend time with another parent or whether you should live with someone else. They must always make a decision that is in your best interests
• Family CourtsA court where all family matters are dealt with
• FinancialTo do with money
• First Tier TribunalIf you have Special Educational Needs and/or a disability, the First Tier Tribunal can hear appeals about your statement or plan
• First Time OffenderYou have not been convicted or found guilty of a crime before
• Forced MarriageIf you are made to marry against your will
• FosterIf you are a child in need and living with a family that is not your own, the people who look after you are your foster family
• Foster Parent or Foster CarerA person who will look after you if you cannot live with your parents. It could be someone you know or someone who works for the local authority. You might live with them for a short period or long-term
• FreezeTemporarily stop from happening

• g

• General Register OfficeA government body which holds all records of births, deaths and marriages
• GenitalsYour private parts
• Governing bodyA group of people in charge of setting the direction of the school. They can look at school exclusions, decisions about admissions and complaints about the school
• Grammar SchoolGrammar schools can select pupils by their ability. Usually you will have to do the 11+ exam to go to a Grammar school
• GroomingMaking friends with a child to later abuse them
• Guardian Ad LitemIf there is a court case about you in the Family Court, you may have a Guardian who must find out your views and to go to court and speak on your behalf

• h

• HarassTo purposely pester someone
• Head of YearThe teacher who is in charge of your year
• Head TeacherThe teacher who is in charge of your whole school
• Health RecordsA document listing details of your physical and mental health - you can ask for a copy of this from your GP
• Hearing (court)A court hearing is where a judge will sit and listen to the arguments of both sides to make a decision
• HomicideKilling someone
• HonestTell the truth
• Humanitarian ProtectionYou will get humanitarian protection if the UK Government decides you are not a refugee but it wouldn't be safe for you to return to your country

• i

• Immigration StatusThe kind of permission you have to be here
• InappropriateNot right for the situation
• Indefinite leave to remainYou can stay in the UK forever and there is no time restriction
• Independent Reviewing OfficerA person who works for Children's Services and if you are in care must make sure your care plan meets your needs and your wishes are heard
• Independent Review PanelAn independent review panel can look at a permanent exclusion and agree with it, ask for it to be looked at again or disagree with the decision and order that it is looked at again
• Independent visitorAn independent adult who is not in the care system who can befriend you and provide support
• Individual Healthcare PlanA plan agreed with the school setting out support for your health or medical needs
• InhumaneCruel
• InnocentYou are found not guilty, the court decides that you did not do the crime
• Intentionally HomelessYou left housing that you could have stayed in. The Local Authority may refuse to provide you with housing in this situation
• InternallyInside the organisation
• InterveneGet involved

• j

• JudgeA person in charge of a court who will make the decisions
• JuryA group of people who will make a decision on whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime based on the evidence they see and hear in court

• k

• Key workerIf Children's Services are involved with you and your family, you may have a key worker who is in charge of making sure all the services you need are working together
• Kinship careWhen you go to live with a relative or a family friend because your parents cannot look after you
• Kinship CarerA relative or friend who will look after you if you cannot live with your parents

• l

• LawyerA professional who practises law, who could be a barrister or a solicitor
• Learning ProgrammeA plan that sets out how you will learn
• Learning Support AssistantsA person who helps the teacher in the classroom but is not a qualified teacher
• Legal AdviceWhen a legal professional provides you with your rights and actions that you can take
• Legal AidMoney from the government that will help to pay for a lawyer in your case
• Legally BindingIf something is legally binding it means you have to stick to it and the law will back it up if you don't
• Legal RepresentationA legal professional who will speak on your behalf
• LinguisticTo do with language
• Litigation FriendIf you are party to a case in the Family court you will be given a litigation friend who will handle the court case on your behalf. The litigation friend must not have their own interest in the case and must always act in your best interests
• Local AuthorityA government body which makes the rules in the area you live
• Local Education AuthorityThe body responsible for your education within a certain area
• Local Government OmbudsmanAn independent organisation who can look into complaints about the local authority
• Looked after childYou are a 'looked-after' child if you have been provided with care and accommodation by children service's for a period longer than 24 hours under a care order or with the agreement of your parents

• m

• MagistrateA volunteer who sits in a panel of two or three people to decide a case in court
• MaltreatmentTreating someone badly
• Managed MoveWhen your school agrees for you to move to a different school for a fresh start
• MandatorySomething that must be done, it is not optional
• ManipulatedWhen someone is controlled or tricked into doing something
• ManslaughterKilling someone without meaning to
• MaximumThe longest or largest amount
• MediatorA professional who helps families talk about their differences to try and reach a solution. For example, if your parents disagree who you should live with they might see a mediator to reach agreement
• Medical ConditionIllness, allergy, disability or learning difficulty
• MinimalThe smallest possible amount
• MinorityA group of people who are small in number
• MurderKilling someone and meaning to do it

• n

• National Insurance NumberA number given to you by the government which you need in order to work and pay tax and national insurance

• o

• OCDA condition which can make the person feel the need to keep checking things and do certain routines
• OffenceDoing something which is against the law
• On your behalfSomeone else doing something for you
• OpportunityChance
• OralTo do with the mouth
• OvercrowdedWhere there are more people in a place then allowed

• p

• Parental responsibilitySomeone who has Parental Responsibility for you can make decisions on your care and upbringing
• Parenting PlanA written or online agreement between your parents saying how they will share the care of you
• Pathway PlanA Pathway Plan will set out the support that you will be given once you have left care. This must be based on the needs assessment carried out. The plan should be prepared before you leave care
• PermanentSomething that is not intended to change
• Personal AdvisorIf you are a care leaver you may have a Personal Advisor who will give you advice and support and organise the services that you need when you leave care. You should have a choice of Personal Advisor
• PharmacyA shop which sells medicine
• PhysicalTo do with the body
• Placement OrderIf you are looked after the court can make a placement order allowing the local authority to place you with people who may later adopt you. The local authority and your birth parents will share parental responsibility for you with the people you are living with
• Police OfficerA person who has the power to ensure law and order usually wearing uniform
• Police RecordsInformation held by the police about you
• Police stationThe building where members of the police force work
• PolicyA set of ideas or rules of what to do in a particular situation for example an anti-bullying policy will set out how a school deals with bullying
• PoppersA dangerous drug usually found as a liquid in a small bottle
• PornographyA text, image or video that could include pictures of naked people or could show people doing sexual acts
• PrescriptionsMedicine as suggested by the doctor
• Private FosteringIf you are under the age of 16, (or under 18 if you have a disability) and you live for more than 28 days with someone who is not your guardian or a close relative this will be a private foster arrangement
• ProcedureThe way something is done
• ProhibitedNot allowed, banned
• ProsecutorA lawyer who will bring a criminal case against someone. They usually work for the Crown Prosecution Service
• ProtectionLook after, defend, protect from harm
• Provide supportGive help
• PsychotherapeuticThe use of psychological methods to treat emotional and mental disorders
• PunishmentsThe penalty given for committing an offence
• Pupil Referral UnitA centre which provides education for children who cannot go to a school

• q

• QualifiedOfficially recognised, finished training

• r

• RapeForcing someone to have sex when they do not want to
• RatifyAgree in writing
• ReasonableWithin reason, something that make sense to most people
• RefugeeA person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape very bad treatment
• Refugee statusA person whose claim for asylum has been accepted by the Home Office
• Registered medical practitionerA person who is qualified to give medical advice
• ReprimandA strong warning from the police
• ResidenceWhere and who you live with
• Residence OrderAn order from the court saying who you live with
• ReviewedLooked at again to see if it needs changing
• RobberyStealing from someone using force

• s

• SafeguardingProtecting from harm
• Safeguarding officerPerson responsible for protecting from harm
• SampleA small part
• School NurseA person trained to give you medical care in school
• School YearThe period you go to school between September and July
• SearchLook for
• Secretary of State for EducationThe person in Government who is responsible for child protection and education matters in England
• Secure AccommodationChildren's Services can house you somewhere where your freedom is limited
• SENIf you have a learning difficulty and need extra help with school work you may have special educational needs
• SENCOSpecial Needs Coordinator. The person in your school who will work with you if you have learning difficulties to make sure you are getting the right help in school
• SentenceThis tells you how long you will spend in prison or doing community service
• Shared ResidenceWhere you live with more than one parent or carer. You do not need to be spending equal time with each person
• Social ServicesNow called Children's Services
• Social WorkerA person who works for Children's Services who may come to see and talk to you to check that you are safe and healthy and see if you need any support. If you are in care you will have a named Social Worker
• SolicitorA professional who advises you on the law and can take action on your behalf. They can go to court for you
• Special GuardianshipWhere you live permanently with someone other than your birth parents as ordered by the court. This person is your Special Guardian and will have responsibility for your care and upbringing until the age of 18
• Special SchoolA type of school designed to meet the needs of children who have special educational needs
• Speech and Language TherapistA professional who will work with you if you have difficulties speaking and communicating
• Statement of Special Educational NeedsIf you have learning difficulties you might need extra help at school. Your Local Authority can write a statement which sets out your Special Educational Needs and outlines what help you need at school. Your school must follow this by law. These have now been replaced with EHCP's
• State SchoolState school education is free and funded by the government
• SubstantialA lot
• SuitableSomething that is right for the situation
• Supervised ContactContact that takes place between you and a parent while another person is also there
• SupervisionOverseeing something
• Supervision OrderIf you are at risk of significant harm, a Supervision Order can be made for the Local Authority to advise, assist and befriend you. The Local Authority will not have Parental Responsibility for you
• SupportHelp
• SurgicalRelating to a medical operation

• t

• TeacherThe person who teaches you in school. You may have one class teacher or different teachers for different subjects
• TemporaryFor a limited amount of time, not permanent
• TenancyA contract relating to renting a property
• TheftStealing something
• TortureCausing someone extreme pain as a punishment or way of getting information
• TraineeshipTraining to do something
• TraumaA deeply distressing or scary experience it can also mean a physical injury
• TribunalA type of court

• u

• UnauthorisedNot allowed

• v

• VerbalSpoken
• VerdictThe decision a court makes
• VictimA person harmed by crime
• Virtual School Head teacherA teacher who works for the local authority to promote the education of all looked after children in their area
• VolunteeringGiving your time to help someone for free
• VulnerableSomeone who is at risk of harm

• w

• WardshipWardship is when the High Court is given legal guardianship over you. If wardship is made you will become a ward of court
• WelfareHealth and Happiness
• WellbeingWhether you are comfortable, healthy or happy
• WitnessA person who may give evidence for the defence or prosecution because they saw heard or found something that might be important in a criminal case

• y

• Young Offender InstitutionA type of prison for people aged 15 to- 21
• Youth courtA court for young people
• Youth Offending TeamA team of people who work with children to stop them from committing a crime
• Youth Rehabilitation OrderA community sentence that can make you to do things such as unpaid work stick to curfews take part in certain activities have drug treatment and other things