What can I do if my 16 year old refuses to come home?
Asked by: Dominic Donnelly | Last update: November 10, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (32 votes)
- Use a graduated system to rectify the situation.
- Open up a reasonable line of communication with the noncustodial parent.
- Ascertain why the teen does not want to come home.
- Consider the age of the teen and the possibility for a change.
- Involve law enforcement.
- Seek a court order.
- Seek legal assistance.
What to do when your 16 year old refuses to come home?
Remaining calm and empathetic is crucial when dealing with a teenager who refuses to come home. It is important to reach out to them through their preferred communication channels, such as texting or calling, and listen attentively to their concerns. Finding a compromise is essential.
Can I call the police if my child doesn't come home?
If your child has run away, you need to call the police, plain and simple.
Can a 16 year old refuse to see a parent UK?
There isn't a specific age in UK law at which a child can refuse contact with a parent. Courts balance the child's preferences with their welfare.
Does a 16 year old have to live at home?
You can move out at 16 if you get emancipated (through the court, or sometimes by joining the military or getting married) or if your parents consent to you living on your own or with a friend or relative. Know how to do things like cooking and laundry, have a job, and budget your money to prove you can live alone.
What can I do if my teenager doesn’t want to see me for my parenting time?
Can a 16 year old stay away from home?
Aged 16-17
You can leave home without your parents' or carers' permission. Or they can ask you to leave. But it's important to think carefully before deciding to move out and leave home.
Can you legally move out at 16 in the UK?
When you're 16 or over, you have the right to leave home without your parent's or carer's permission and your parents or carers have the right to ask you to leave. If you decide to move out or run away, your parents or carers can call the police. But they're unlikely to take you back unless you're unsafe.
What rights do parents have over 16 year olds UK?
Parental responsibility up to 18
It can mean making decisions for them and acting in their best interest. This includes decisions on where your child lives, their education and consenting to medical treatment. All mothers and most fathers have parental responsibility automatically.
Can the police help me get my child back?
Law enforcement does have the legal right to enforce a child custody order; however, custody disputes are usually considered a civil matter and the police might refuse to get involved. Child custody issues can become very complicated, and there is no one correct answer to all situations.
Can police question a 16 year old without parents UK?
A child being interviewed by the police because they are suspected of having committed an offence will still need to have an appropriate adult even if the interview is voluntary.
Can I call the police if my child refuses to come home in the UK?
To report your child missing, call the police on 999 or 101, or contact your neighbourhood policing team. You don't have to wait 24 hours, you can report your child missing straight away. Thankfully, most children who run away return of their own accord.
What to do if your 16 year old runs away?
If you suspect your child has run away or is missing due to foul play, call your local police department immediately. Police department procedures may vary, but you can request that they enter your child's information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) missing persons file.
What to do if your child doesn't come home?
- Check: check for signs of where they might have gone. Check their room, check social media, call their friends, check their friends' social media.
- Think: Has there been a change in behaviour recently? ...
- Call: Call the police.
Should a 16 year old help around the house?
The Bottom Line
Whether you call it a "chore" or a "contribution," your teen is old enough to help with more significant responsibilities, which can help them prepare for adulthood. Talk to your teen, and together figure out a plan that feels appropriate and makes everyone feel respected.
What can a parent do with an unruly child?
- Show and tell. Teach children right from wrong with calm words and actions. ...
- Set limits. ...
- Give consequences. ...
- Hear them out. ...
- Give them your attention. ...
- Catch them being good. ...
- Know when not to respond. ...
- Be prepared for trouble.
When your 16 year old refuses to go to school?
School refusal usually goes along with disorders like separation anxiety, depression or panic disorder. An evaluation from a professional can tell you if your child needs treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are used to treat school refusal.
At what age can a child refuse contact with a parent UK?
Under the current law in the UK, there is no set legal age at which a child can refuse to see their parent.
Who decides if a kid gets held back?
Your child's classroom teacher will often be responsible for deciding if your child should be held back. And even if the school district has another procedure in place, the classroom teacher's input will strongly influence the decision-making process.
Can one parent withhold a child?
Remember, California prioritizes granting children access to both parents when possible. If a parent, mother, or father attempts to withhold visitation, this can be punishable by the state.
Can I give up my 16 year old?
In the case of giving a child up for adoption as a teen, the mother and the teenager must give their consent. In most states, a teenager is granted the opportunity by law to say whether or not they consent to the adoption.
Can social services take away a 16 year old in the UK?
Social services do not have the authority to decide when to remove a child. If they believe the child to be at risk of significant harm, they can't remove the child from the home unless a court order has been granted.
What if a child doesn't want to live with a parent?
If a child doesn't want to live with a parent, it might be a safety issue. If your child is old enough, ask what is happening there that makes him or her not want to go. For small children, ask them to draw a picture of life at Daddy's house. A professional counselor and lawyers might need to be involved.
Can a 16 year old decide where to live UK?
When a child reaches the age of 16, he or she has the legal right to choose where they want to live, unless there is a Residence Order or Child Arrangements Order in place that specifies the child's living arrangements.
Can my parents check my phone at 16?
While parents certainly differ in their opinions about this question, legally speaking, it is not child abuse for a parent to look through a child's phone.
Can I move out at 16 without parental consent?
In the United States, the minimum age to legally move out without parental consent is typically 18.