Can anyone please advise what age a child can legally decide to leave home. My son is 10 1/2 years old and wants to live me. CAFCASS are involved but any further assistance / help would be appreciated. Thanks
The child certainly can't decide at age 10½. When you say he "wants to live me" did you mean "live with me" or "leave me"? I assume you and your partner are separated. Are CAFCASS discussing the matter with you?
Thanks for the responses so far. To clarify, yes I am the father and my son has expressed several times over his wishes to live with me. Recognising his wishes and feelings I have applied for residence and CAFCASS have been appointed.
the law does not give a specific age but refers to when a child has sufficient understanding to be able to decide. CAFCASS will report to the court (section 7 report I suspect) having discussed the matter with the child, anyone with parental responsibility and any involved with the care of the child. Clearly this is a matter for a court to decide.