At what age does parental responsibility end?

Parental responsibility in the UK usually ends when the child turns 18. However, it can end earlier if the child gets married between the ages of 16 and 18, or if there’s an adoption order that overrides the birth parents’ responsibilities.

In some exceptional circumstances, a court may remove parental responsibility if it’s in the child’s best interests. This may occur in cases of abuse, or when a parent is withholding consent for medical certain treatment.