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Marriage of a Looked After Child
If the young person is subject to a Care Order or Community Parenting Order
For a young person to marry consent must be given by all those who have parental responsibility. This includes the department.
If a young person tells you they wish to marry someone you should:
- discuss their wishes and feelings with them
- ensure they appreciate the short and long term implications
- discuss the matter with your manager and form a view about whether the marriage is acceptable
- write to all those with parental responsibility for the young person to establish their views
Where there is consensus that the young person should marry, request a form from Legal Services for the Director to sign to give consent. This form is then given to the young person.
If the young person is accommodated
The young person needs to have consent of all those with parental responsibility (unless there is a Residence Order in force where only the person who is named on the Residence Order need consent).
If a young person tells you they wish to marry someone you should:
- discuss their wishes and feelings with them
- ensure they appreciate the short and long term implications
- ensure that the young person is aware of the legal position around consent.
If consent is refused
If consent is refused by any person with parental responsibility then the young person may seek the leave of the Court to marry.