* ^6BASIC RIGHTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCOTLAND - HYPERTEXT PROGRAMME^0

     ^1@Intro[!A^0. ^bWhat "Rights" are all about^b]          ^1@Abuse[!N^0. ^bAbuse - Saying NO!^b]
     ^1@Safe[!B^0. ^bStaying Safe^b]                         ^1@fam[!O^0. ^bFamily Separation^b]
     ^1@UN[!C^0. ^bUN Convention on Childrens Rights^b]    ^1@polis[!P^0. ^bYou & the Police^b]^0
     ^1@Ages[!D^0. ^bAge Limits^b]                           ^1@legaid[!Q^0. ^bLegal Aid^b]
     ^1@Disab[!E^0. ^bYoung People with Disabilities^b]       ^1@court[!R^0. ^bThe Courts^b]
     ^1@Education[!F^0. ^bEducation Rights^b]                     ^1@sex[!S^0. ^bSex^b]
     ^1@Child[!G^0. ^bChildren's Hearings^b]                  ^1@aids[!T^0. ^bAIDS^b]
     ^1@Care[!H^0. ^bRights in Care^b]                       ^1@gays[!U^0. ^bGay & Lesbian Rights^b]
     ^1@Leaving[!I^0. ^bClaiming Benefit^b]                     ^1@hous[!V^0. ^bHousing^b]
     ^1@Govt[!J^0. ^bGovt Training Schemes^b]                ^1@race[!W^0. ^bRacial Discrimination^b]
     ^1@Work[!K^0. ^bRights at Work^b]                       ^1@drink[!X^0. ^bDrink & Drugs^b]
     ^1@women[!L^0. ^bRights for Women^b]                     ^1@leis[!Y^0. ^bLeisure & Recreation^b]
     ^1@Vio[!M^0. ^bViolence against Women^b]               ^1@uadd[!Z^0. ^bUseful Addresses^b]

^b     You can look  at any of these sections  by using the letter to choose
     it from the menu, or 'clicking' on the heading with a mouse.^b

     ^b^1@?[F1]  Keys to press & Programme Help^b^0      ^b^1@![F3]^0^6  How to get the book ....!! ^b^0

     ^b^1@*[F2] Return to this screen^b^0                ^b^1Ctrl & F5 to F8 Insert Bookmarks^b^0
intro INTRODUCTION - What "RIGHTS" are all about.

   You have lots of "rights" which you  don't have to argue for, and therefore
   probably  don't think  about a  lot. Many  of these,  such as  the right to
   health care, are  listed in the UN Convention  on Children's Rights. You'll
   probably only think about discussing your "rights" when things aren't going
   quite the way you want them to.

   The law about your rights is not always  clear, but even when it is you may
   not be treated properly  or get your full rights. If you  don't, try not to
   make demands in a rude or aggressive way, as this certainly won't encourage
   others  to treat  you properly  (don't forget  you've also  got a  right to
   complain later). Where your rights are not  clear, the issue may have to be
   decided by the courts.

   One of your  rights, is the right to  the information you need to  help you
   make sensible  decisions for yourself,  another is the  right to have  your
   views listened  to, and taken  seriously. But remember,  we are all  fairly
   powerless when  we have to deal  with those in authority,  ^b^6so if you're not
   sure, it's best  to get advice from a  lawyer, an advice worker or  a youth
   worker who may have more knowledge and perhaps more power than you.^0^b

   ^b^2This  guide can't  cover everything  there are  always exceptions  to every
   rule.^0^b
safe Staying Safe

   The information in this programme is designed to help you avoid risks, such
   as  the  risk  of  getting  pregnant  if  you  have  sex  without  using  a
   contraceptive. This  section covers more  general issues which  you need to
   think about in ordinary situations, and which you might not think are risky
   until it's  too late. The most  important thing is to  get informed, to get
   the facts you need. DON'T WORRY ABOUT LOOKING STUPID - STAY SAFE.

    ^1@bbsafe[!a. ^0^6^bBabysitting^b^0]         ^1@hksafe[!c. ^0^6^bHitchhiking^b^0]
    ^1@fjsafe[!b. ^0^6^bFinding a Job^b^0]       ^1@street[!d. ^0^6^bSafety on the Street^b^0]

   Whatever the issue, if something happens to you that you're not happy about
   you have the right to talk to  someone about it ^band be taken seriously^b. You
   might want  to @talk[^1talk to Childline, or one of the  other helping agancies.^0] If
   you don't  feel able to  talk to your  parents about things  which might be
   embarassing,  try to  find a  youth worker,  an advice  worker or  a social
   worker, who  can advise you  about whether to  talk to the  police. Staying
   safe is about avoiding risks. Other risks include:

   ^1@sex[!1. ^0^2^bGetting pregnant^0^b]    ^1@abuse[!4. ^2^bChild Abuse^b^0]
   ^1@aids[!2. ^0^2^bCatching HIV^0^b]        ^1@vio[!5. ^2^bViolence against Women^b^0]
   ^1@drink[!3. ^0^2^bUsing Drugs^0^b]         ^1@race[!6. ^2^bRacial abuse^b^0]
bbsafe Babysitting

   If you've  seen an advert for  a babysitter, and you  don't know the person,
   ring, and arrange to visit them first,  with a friend. so that you can make
   sure you feel safe with the people  you'll be babysitting for. ^bRemember - a
   lot of abuse or assault is done by people that the victim knew already.^b

   If  you're going  to be  out late,  make sure  that you'll  get a lift home
   afterwards, or money for a taxi so that you won't be left to walk home late
   at night when there aren't many buses around.

   Check that  the house is  locked, and that  you know where  the people have
   gone, and that you  know where to reach them in an  emergency. Take care if
   anyone  comes to  the door  that you  don't know,  and don't  announce that
   you're  alone  by  telling  someone   who  phones  that  you're  "just  the
   babysitter" or that the owners will be "out for hours yet".

   If you're  over 16, you will  be responsible for anything  that goes wrong,
   check out the  @oth[^1"Age Limits"^0] section, which more  about the responsibilities
   of  those who  use, or  provide  a  babysitting service.  If you  want more
   information about babysitting, you can get a leaflet from the Royal Society
   for the Prevention of Accidents or the @childlaw[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0].
fjsafe Finding a Job

   If  you see  an advert  for a  job which  involves your  going to meet your
   employer alone, try to  get a friend to go with you,  ^bat least tell someone
   where you're  going^b. Check out  jobs that  seem  to offer lots  of money to
   people without  much experience or  qualifications very carefully,  because
   there may be something suspicious about them.
street Safety on the Streets

   Many of the  same issues apply to being safe  on the streets (especially if
   you  live in  a large  town or  city). Most  of the  basic precautions  are
   obvious, but it's easy to get careless:

   1) Avoid dark  unlit areas late at night,  and choose a route you  know, so
      that you know where the phone boxes are etc. If you're waiting for a bus
      try to  wait in a  well lit spot,  and perhaps near  to other groups  of
      people (although it's best to do what ^byou^b feel safe doing).
   2) Try to always have some change with you so that you can get a bus if
      you have to (don't be afraid to get a  taxi if you feel at risk - even if
      you haven't got the money - drivers  won't mind waiting at the other end
      while you get some money from the house - if you've got any!).
   3) If  you think you're being  followed, cross the road,  looking over your
      shoulder as  you go, so  that you can  see who it  is, and if  you still
      think you're being followed  go into a pub or shop where  you can ask or
      phone for help.
   4) If  you're a young  woman, you  might  consider going to  a self defence
      class, or carrying an alarm.
hksafe Hitch Hiking

   If you live  in a rural area where  there aren't many bus services,  or the
   costs are very high, and you need to hitch lifts, be very careful.

   a) try  to get lifts  from well lit  public places, from  women or couples.
      Don't get in the back of a two door car.
   b) try not to hitch alone and,  most importantly ^bgo with your instincts^b, if
      you don't feel comfortable, ^6SAY NO^0.
   c) for  more  tips,  look  at  one  of  the  books  on  hitching, like the
      "Hitchhikers Guide to Europe".
talk Someone to talk to...

@ccl[^1Childline  Scotland^0] is  a 24  hour helpline  for children  and young people in
trouble  or in  danger. You  can phone  FREE on:  0800 1111  from anywhere  in
Britain.

Childline also  has a special number  for young people who  are in care, which
you can also phone FREE on 0800 884444.  You don't have to give your name, and
you don't  need to worry about  calls to childline showing  up on phone bills,
because  they  are  FREE,  so  they're  not  listed.  If you'd rather write to
Childline, the address is:
                                Childline
                                Freepost 1111
                                Glasgow, G1 4BR

^2Youth Access^0 -  is an organisation which promotes  youth counselling services.
They  should be  able to  give you  the numbver  of a  service near you. THeir
number is:  0533 558763

You can also phone the @childlaw[^1Scottish Child  Law Centre^0] for advice on: 0800 317 500.
If they  can't help you  themselves, they will  be able to  put you in contact
with another person or organisation who can.
un The United Nations Convention on Children's Rights

   The  Children's  Rights  convention  was  agreed  by  the United Nations in
   November  1989. It  lists 40  rights  or  protections that  every child  is
   entitled to, if  their country has signed the convention.  It took over ten
   years of discussion before enough countries agreed to the Convention for it
   to be passed,  and a further two years before  the United Kingdom agreed to
   accept the  basic protections for  children which the  convention contains.
   ^bThe convention is based on the  principle that every child and young person
   in the  world, regardless of  their sex, their  colour or whether  they are
   rich or poor  has equal rights which should be  respected^b. It is recognised
   that because children  are more vulnerable to mistreatment  and abuse, they
   need  special care  and protection.  ^6The convention  is like  a set of good
   standards  which Governments  agree to  stick to.  It's not enforcable like
   some rights, so you can't go to court  if you aren't treated in the way the
   convention says  you should be^0.  Some people and  agencies still feel  that
   @conun[^1some children are  still treated less favourably in the  UK^0] than the way in
   which the convention lays down. The  Convention is too long and complicated
   to copy out in full, but some of the principles are listed on the following
   screens. ^2If you want further  information you should contact the Children's
   Rights Development Unit at the @childlaw[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0].^0

     @unpg1[^1Articles 1-19^0]       @unpg2[^1Articles 20-32^0]      @unpg3[^1Articles 33-40^0]
unpg1 ^6The UN Convention on Children's Rights - Page 1^0

a) Every  child,  regardless  of  race,  colour,  sex,  language, religion or
   disability should be protected from every kind of discrimination (Article 2)
b) Everyone  dealing with children &  young people, is obliged  to provide the
   protection & care which puts the child's best interests first (Article 3).
c) Every child  who is  capable of  forming an  opinion, shall  be given  the
   opportunity to express their point of  view and have it taken into account,
   whatever the procedure (Article 12).
d) No child  should be separated from their parents  against their will unless
   it is in their best interests (e.g they are being abused). (Article  9)
e) Applications for a child or their  parents to enter or leave any country in
   order  to reunite  their family  should should  be dealt  with quickly  and
   kindly. If a child's parents live  in different countries, the child should
   have  the right  to keep  in touch  with each  of them  on a  regular basis
   (Article 10)
f) Children should  have the  right  to  freedom of  thought, conscience  and
   religion (Article 14)
g) Every child should be protected from neglect or abuse (Article 19)^b


                   @unpg2[^1Articles 20-32^0]      @unpg3[^1Articles 33-40^0]
unpg2 ^6The UN Convention on Children's Rights - Page 2^0

g) Children who are seeking refugee status, or who have already been deemed to
   be a refugee  under international law should be  offered special protection
   (Article 22)
h) Children with  handicaps should  be offered  special help  to achieve  the
   greatest possible  self reliance so  that they can  lead a full  and active
   life (Article 23)
i) Children should  be protected  from  disease  by high  quality health  care
   services (Article 24).
j) Children and  their families should be entitled  to social security benefits
   (Article 26)
k) Every country should ensure that parents are able to provide their children
   with adequate food, clothing and housing (Article 27)
l) Children all have the right to an education (Article 28)
m) Children should be protected from doing work that might damage their health,
   or from working too long (Article 32)^b

     @unpg1[^1Articles 1-19^0]       @unpg3[^1Articles 33-40^0]
unpg3 ^6The UN Convention on Children's Rights - Page 3^0

n) Children should be protected from harmful drugs (Article 33)
o) Children should be protected from sexual exploitation (Article 34)
p) Children should be protected from slavery (Article 35)
q) Children should  be protected  from torture  or other  degrading treatment,
   and if deprived of their liberty should not be kept with adults (Article 37)
s) Children should be protected during war (Article 38)
t) Children  accused of an  offence should be  informed of the  charges against
   them and  offered legal assistance  to defend themselves  against the charge
   (Article 40)^b

     @unpg1[^1Articles 1-19^0]       @unpg2[^1Articles 20-32^0]


^bDespite  these protections  the Children's  Legal Centre  has expressed concern
that @conun[^1in some ways children are still treated less favourably in the UK^0] than the
way in which the Convention lays down.

^2For further  information contact the Children's  Rights Development Unit which
is based  at the @childlaw[^1Scottish Child  Law Centre^0^b].^0^b  They are  organising what's going
on for the convention, and will be interested to hear your views.
conun Some of the concerns expressed by the Children's Legal Centre.

   It may sound  as if everyone living in  the United Kingdom must have  all of
   these basic rights. But:

   1) UK immigration  laws don't  always  allow  children to  stay with  their
      parents as stated in Article 10;
   2) as  young people aged  16/17s are not  treated as children  they are not
      protected from harmful work or long hours as was stated in Article 32;
   3) as there is not always be suitable accommodation available children are
      sometimes locked up  in adult prisons even though  Article 37 states that
      this should not happen;
   4) children are still not always allowed  to explain their point of view as
      Article 12 says they should be able to;
   5) the law still allows the hitting of children despite Article 19;
   6) despite  Article 27 young people  aged 16/17 are not  entitled to social
      security benefits, and many are homeless.

   Article 42 says that every country should make sure everyone knows about the
   convention.  Some  areas  have  therefore   adopted  their  own  Charter  of
   Children's Rights,  and others have  appointed a Children's  Rights Officer.
   Children's Charters may  be local statements about what  the authority think
   should happen, rather than what actually happens at present.
ages ^6AGE LIMITS^0

   This is  a list of  the ages at  which you're first  ^b^6legally allowed^0^b to  do
   something.  However, whether  you will   ^b^6actually^0^b be  able to  do something
   usually depends on other people  (like your parents), agreeing. One example
   of this is the age at which you're first allowed to buy a pet. What the law
   says, is that  ^6no one is allowed to  sell you a pet if  you're alone, until
   you're over 12^0. However, if you live  at home it wouldn't be any use buying
   a pet, until you'd talked to your parents about it and got them to agree.

   The law in  Scotland governing the age at which  young people aged under 18
   can do  certain things, was changed  ^b^6in September 1991^0^b, when  a new law was
   introduced. The new law is called the "Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act
   1991". The  main effect has  been to  shift  the age at  which children and
   young people  are allowed to  take legally binding  decisions in their  own
   right from the old  ages of 12 for girls and 14 for  boys to one single new
   age of  16. This means  that in some  cases young people  under 16 now have
   fewer rights.  Since the introduction of  the new law the  age at which you
   are able to do  some things is based on ^2whether you  are thought to be able
   to understand what's involved^0. Some of the issues are explained below.

   ^2The main things changed  by the Act, and your rights @nexpag[^b^1year  by year^0^b], ^2are
   explained on the following pages.^0
nexpag Further information on age limits

   There are quite a few exceptions to  the new law. For example, young people
   under  the age  of  16  still have  the right  to enter   into the  sort of
   transactions ^b^6"commonly  entered into by  children of their  age"^0^b - such  as
   doing a newspaper round or having a saturday job.

   Since the introduction of the new law, the  age at which you are able to do
   some  things  is  now  based  on  whether  you  are  thought  to be able to
   understand what's involved. Some examples of the new law include consenting
   to @med[^1medical  treatment^0], changing your @rel[^1religion^0],  or @rel[^1seeing information^0] which
   is held on file by your school or the Social Work Department.

   The Act is only 5 pages long, but the changes it made are very complicated,
   as it changes to a lot of previous laws (one dating from 1474!). Because of
   this, lawyers are still  not sure about what the effects will  be, so it is
   not yet possible to say exactly what will happen in every situation.^b

^1     ╔═════════╦════════════╦════════════╦═════════╦══════════╦═══════╗
     ║ @0[Age 0-8] ║ @12[Aged 12-15] ║ @16[Aged 16-17] ║ @18[Aged 18] ║ @21[Aged 21+] ║ @oth[Other] ║
     ╚═════════╩════════════╩════════════╩═════════╩══════════╩═══════╝^0

   For further information contact the @ccl[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0^b]
med Medical Treatment

   All children  ^b^6whatever their age^0^b now  have the right to  consent to medical
   treatment ^b^6as soon  as they can understand what's involved^0^b  (this is left up
   to the  doctor to decide).  The law says  that at 16,  young people get the
   full right to make their own decisions about medical treatment.

   Whatever  your age,  everything you  say to  a doctor  should be treated in
   confidence (they shouldn't tell anyone else without your permission).

   The  law says  you can  consent to,  or refuse  surgical, medical or dental
   treatment as  soon as you  understand the implications  of your decision  -
   this  also  applies  to  contraceptive  treatment.  Like all other "rights"
   however, it's not as simple as it sounds. In a recent Court case in England
   which involved a 16 year old girl  who had refused treatment for anorexia -
   (the slimming illness), the Judges said  that whilst the wishes of children
   and young  people under 18 were  "important", if a young  person puts their
   life  at risk,  the Court  should override  the young  persons views.  Even
   though the laws  in England and Scotland are different,  it would be likely
   that in  a similar case  Scottish judges would  base their decision  on the
   same sorts of principles. Once you understand the issue, you can also carry
   a donor card  to let your parents and  your doctor know that you  want your
   organs used if you are killed in an accident.
rel Changing Religion or Seeing your File

   ^b^6Changing your Religion^0^b

   You can choose your  own religion as soon as you are  thought to be able to
   understand  what  that  involves.  If  your  parents  think the religion is
   harmful to you  they could ask the court to  intervene to protect you. Only
   your  parents have  the right  to withdraw  you from  religious assembly at
   school (although  once you are over  16 the school has  to take your wishes
   into account).

   ^b^6Seeing information which is held on file about you^b^0

   Your  school  and  your  doctor  will  have  files  which  contain personal
   information about  you (and so  will the Social  Work Department if  you've
   been in care). Although the laws governing each set of files are different,
   you can ask to  see any of these files. There is  also a process for seeing
   information which is  held on computer. In all cases,  you won't be allowed
   to see information  on anyone else (unless they  agree), or any information
   which might cause you any harm.

0 RIGHTS FOR THOSE AGED 0-8

   ^6Age 0^0 You can have a bank account!
       ^6■^0 You  can  be  employed  as  an  actor/actress  (but  you will need a
         licence).

   ^6Age 5^0 You  must start  to get  an education  (usually, but  not always  at
         school).
       ^6■^0 You may be given alcohol in private (at home)!

   ^6Age 7^0 You can take money out of your Giro or Trustee Savings Bank.
       ^6■^0 You can  go to a film at  the cinema (as long as  the manager doesn't
         object).

   ^6Age 8^0 You are considered capable of committing a criminal offence (although
         you could  be referred to a  children's hearing before this  age, but
         not for a offence).

 ^1    ╔════════════╦════════════╦═════════╦══════════╦═══════╗
     ║ @12[Aged 12-15] ║ @16[Aged 16-17] ║ @18[Aged 18] ║ @21[Aged 21+] ║ @oth[Other] ║
     ╚════════════╩════════════╩═════════╩══════════╩═══════╝^0
12 RIGHTS FOR THOSE AGED 12-15

   ^6Age 12^0 You can be sold a pet.
        ^6■^0 You can make a will.
        ^6■^0 You can consent or refuse to adoption.
        ^6■^0 You can go to a "12" film.
   ^6Age 13^0  You can get  a job on  Saturday, and for  not more than  2 hours on
          school days, (not  before 7am or after 7pm).  During school holidays
          you can work for  a total of 25 hours a week  if you're under 15, or
          35 hours per  week if you're over 15. If  you're not sure, it's best
          to check  with the Education Authority,  as they can make  their own
          local rules. For example, in some areas you may need a permit.
        ^6■^0 If you  commit a very serious offence like  rape or murder, you will
          be dealt with by the court).
   ^6Age 14^0 You can own or be lent an air rifle (as long as you're supervised by
          someone over 21 in public).
        ^6■^0 You can go into a bar with your parents as long as the owner doesn't
          object,  - those  under  14  can only  go into  a bar   if it  has a
          children's certificate from the  licensing board. Otherwise they can
          only go into hotels and restaurants with someone over 21.
   ^6Age 15^0 You can use a shotgun (if you're supervised by someone over 21 who
          has a licence).
        ^6■^0 You can go to a 15 registered film. @16[^1Aged 16-17^0]
16 RIGHTS FOR THOSE AGED 16-17

   ^6Age 16^0 You can leave school.
        ^6■^0 You can leave home.
        ^6■^0 You can get married.
        ^6■^0 You can buy or be given drink (not spirits) with a meal.
        ^6■^0 You can buy fireworks.
        ^6■^0 You can buy cigarettes or tobacco.
        ^6■^0 You can consent to sexual intercourse (girls).
        ^6■^0 Doctors  must now accept your  consent to all medical  treatment and
          you can  change your doctor (you  should've been able to  do this as
          soon as your doctor thought you could understand what was involved).
        ^6■^0 You can get a full time job (and will have to pay tax and national
          insurance contributions).
        ^6■^0 You can join a trade union.
        ^6■^0 Certain  young  people  can  claim  Income  Support. In most cases
          however, you won't be able to  claim income support until you are 18.
          For full details see section on @leaving[^b^1claiming benefit^b^0].
        ^6■^0 You can apply to the Child Support Agency.
        ^6■^0 You can get  a licence to drive a  moped, tractor, mowing machine,
          invalid carriage  or pedestrian controlled vehicle.
        ^6■^0 You can  get a glider pilot's  licence.
        ^6■^0 You can be sold a lottery ticket.         @np16[^1And more...^0]
np16 RIGHTS FOR THOSE AGED 16-17 - Page 2

   ^6^bAge 16^b^0 You can buy premium bonds or open a giro account.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You will  usually be dealt with in the  District or Sheriff Court if
          you commit  an offence (those under  16 would be dealt  with by the
          Children's Hearing  system, unless the  offence was a  very serious
          one  like rape  or murder,  in which  case those  over 13  could be
          dealt with by the court).
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can change  your name, but you'll need your  parents to record
          the change.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can carry a donor card (kidneys etc), but your parents consent
          would be needed before your organs could be used.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can  apply for  a  passport  (if you  don't have  your parents'
          permission, get advice from the @uadd[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0]).
        ^6^b■^b^0 Males can join  the armed forces.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can be  elected onto the community council (some  areas).
        ^6^b■^b^0 You  can  be sent to a young  offenders institution.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can  apply for a bank account, credit  or mortgage etc (although
          this doesn't mean that the bank or building society have to give you
          one).
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can  enter into any legal contract (as  long as the other person
          agrees).
                                                          @17[^1Aged 17...^0]
17 Aged 17...
   ^6^bAge 17^b^0 You can get a licence to drive a car, motorbike, motortrike or
          road roller.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can apply for a firearms certificate.
        ^6^b■^b^0 Females can join the armed forces.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can hold a pilot's licence.
                                                          @18[^1Aged 18...^0]
18 RIGHTS FOR THOSE AGED 18

   ^6^bAge 18^b^0 YOU REACH ADULTHOOD

   This is now  the minimum age at which ^b^6most^b^0  people can claim income support,
   although there are exceptions. See section on @leaving[^1claiming benefits^0].

    And ^6^b■^b^0 You can donate blood.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can vote in an election.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can be elected onto the community council (all areas).
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can take any action in court.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can be tattooed.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can place a bet.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can drink alcohol in a pub.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can be called to serve on a jury.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can see any film.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can drive a lorry up to 7.5 tonnes.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You  can do anything else  an adult can do  ^bexcept^b .... those things
          you can't do until @21[^1you reach 21^0]
21 RIGHTS FOR THOSE AGED 21

   ^6^bAge 21^b^0 You can drive any vehicle (lorries over 7.5 tonnes for which you need
          an HGV licence, and buses carrying over 9 people for which you need a
          PSV licence).

        ^6^b■^b^0 You can obtain a licence to sell liquor.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can run a gaming shop, (bookmakers).
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can consent to a homosexual relationship (in private).
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can stand for election as a councillor or M.P.
        ^6^b■^b^0 You can be sent to prison.



^1     ╔═════════╦════════════╦════════════╦═════════╦══════════╦═══════╗
     ║ @0[Age 0-8] ║ @12[Aged 12-15] ║ @16[Aged 16-17] ║ @18[Aged 18] ║ @21[Aged 21+] ║ @oth[Other] ║
     ╚═════════╩════════════╩════════════╩═════════╩══════════╩═══════╝^0


   For further information contact the @uadd[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0^b]
Oth OTHER AGED RELATED ISSUES.

   ^b^6Babysitting^b^0

   There is  no specific age  at which someone  is allowed to  babysit, but if
   something  goes wrong,  parents who  have left  their children with someone
   under  16 may  still be  liable, because  a child  under 16  is not legally
   responsible. If  you are over 16  you are legally responsible  for anything
   that happens to any child you are looking after.

   ^b^6Ear Piercing etc.^b^0

   There are  no real rules  about the exact  age at which  you can have  your
   ears/nose etc  pierced, but those  under the age  of 16 may  not be seen as
   capable of consenting to this (medical) service.

   For further information contact the @uadd[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0^b]
Disab  Rights for Young People with Disabilities

   Many  people with  disabilities have  difficulty getting  even the ordinary
   rights that most people take for granted, because society is often too busy
   seeing them as different, as second best, or as a problem to be solved.

   Many disabled people that it is  society that has the problem; not disabled
   people. People with  disabilities want to be treated  as people first. They
   want to be seen as individuals, not members of an anonymous group. Disabled
   people want to be treated in the  same way as everybody else. To help bring
   about equal rights  many people with disabilities believe  that they should
   have more  power over their  own lives, and  in organisations which  try to
   meet their  needs. Having power as  individuals also means being  free from
   discrimination. ^6Unlike  people who face discrimination  on racial or sexual
   grounds, there are  no legal protections for disabled  people who feel they
   have  been  denied  their  "rights"^0.  Some  people  with  disabilities  are
   therefore  setting up  their own  organisations or  Coalitions of  Disabled
   People. @disadd[^1Check the disability address  section^0]. People with disabilities are
   individuals,  and have  the right  to decide  for themselves  how they lead
   their lives. @dissue[^1Click here to spot some tips:^0].

   ╔═════════════════════════╦═══════════╦════════════╦══════════╦══════════╗
   ║^b^6 See special rules about^0^b ║ @dissed[^1^bEducation^0^b] ║ @dissemp[^1^bEmployment^0^b] ║ @disstrain[^1^bTraining^0^b] ║ @dissben[^1^bBenefits^0^b] ║
   ╚═════════════════════════╩═══════════╩════════════╩══════════╩══════════╝^b
dissue Things to do which will help people with disabilities get their rights

   It's important  to allow people  with disabilities the  right to decide  ^6for
   themselves^0 how they want to lead their lives. Here are a few tips:

   1) Try  to treat people with  disabilities just the same  way as you'd treat
      any  of your  friends, as  an individual  who deserves  respect - as you
      yourself would want to be treated.
   2) Respect their right to privacy - don't ask personal questions about their
      disability.
   4) If a disabled person asks you for help in any way, ^bask first how you can
      help, and listen to the reply^b.  Don't assume that someone must need help
      just because they have a disability.
   5) Remember  - people with disabilities  have the same needs  and desires as
      everyone  else.  For  example  -  the   Brook  has  a  special  guide  to
      contraception in Braille for young people who are blind.

   Remember - someones ability or disability depends on how easy society makes
   it for  them to participate.  People with disabilities  would be much  more
   "able" if they had greater access  to facilities and wern't so dependent on
   others to get around. Disability is also about the barriers that we create.
dissed Educational Opportunities for People with Disabilities

   Educational  opportunities   for  people  with   disabilities  will  differ
   according  to where  you live.  In some  areas, education  authorities make
   every  attempt  to  enable  children  with  disabilities to attend ordinary
   schools and further education courses. In other areas, provision may not be
   as good, but if you have a 'record of needs' your parents must be given the
   name of  a person from  whom they can  get advice. If  they don't like  the
   advice or the way  in which your needs are being met,  they are entitled to
   appeal. Just  before you leave school,  the authority will look  at whether
   you would benefit from staying on at school or going to college. Before you
   leave school the  authority will hold a 'future  needs assessment' meeting.
   Try to  find out when  it's happening  and  how you can  submit your views,
   because you and  your parents should be entitled to  attend. Once you reach
   16  (as long  as you're  still at  school), you  can ask  for an assessment
   yourself, amd submit your views in your own right.

   If  you have  a disability  and you  stay on  at school  after 16  you will
   usually be able  to claim @leaving[^1Income Support^0] and  @dissben[^1Severe Disablement Allowance^0].
   There  are a  number of  different sorts  of help  you will  be able to get
   including special study materials and equipment. There are also a number of
   @disedorg[^1organisations which provide help and advice for disabled students^0]. This can
   include support at school, or cash help with clothes, equipment or travel.
disedorg Organisations which provide help and advice for disabled students.

   SKILL  publish a  wide variety  of information  sheets and  publications on
   education and  training opportunities for  young people with  disabilities,
   including   a  directory   of   Opportunities   for  School   Leavers  with
   Disabilities.  It is  also available  in print  or on  computer disk at £5.
   ^bSKILL 336 Brixton Road London SW9 7AA Tel: 071 274 0565^b

   LEAD SCOTLAND  (Linking Education &  Disability) Provides free  information
   about educational opportunities, skills, crafts or interests. disabilities.
   Can  also provide  home tutors.  ^bLEAD c/o  Queen Margaret College, Clerwood
   Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 8TS^b

   ^bAccess Ability^b  in Edinburgh promotes educational  opportunities for people
   over 16  with disabilities. Contact  c/o The Lothian  Coalition of Disabled
   People. @disadd[^1Disability Addresses Section^0].
disstrain Special Rules regarding Training for those with Disabilities

   For those with disabilities there  are special rules relating to Government
   training schemes such as YT. These are covered in the section on training.

   In particular, the  Enterprise Councils are required to  provide those with
   disabilities  with the  support they   need to  take advantage  of training
   opportunities.


        ^1@govt[!1. ^0^bGovernment Training Schemes - General Rules^b]
        ^1@dissemp[!2. ^0^bDisability Related Employment Legislation^b]
dissemp Employment Legislation & People with Disabilities

   The  Department of  Employment (Jobcentre),  keeps a  voluntary register of
   people who  have difficulty getting  or keeping a  job because they  have a
   health  problem or  disability. Those  on the  register are  issued with  a
   "Green Card", and employers with more than  20 workers must be able to show
   that at least 3% of their workforce are registered as disabled. Although it
   is a criminal offence for employers to break this law they can apply for an
   exemption if they can show that there were no suitable disabled applicants.

   Lot's of people don't  like these sort of laws, and prefer  to get a job on
   the basis of  their skills rather than on  the basis of a label  which says
   they're disabled. Even  if you don't register, it's still  better to give a
   potential employer full information about  your disability, as you may lose
   your rights (or even your job), if you have not been honest. However, these
   days many  good employers are  making special efforts  to ensure that  they
   give  people with  disabilities equal  rights, so  being honest  about your
   disability could be to your advantage.

   The Employment Service has recently reorganised  its service and set up PAC
   teams  (Placing Assessment  & Counselling  Teams). Job  Centres also have a
   variety  of  special  schemes  which  can  provide  help to adapt premises,
   provide special aids or equipment or help with the costs of travel.
dissben Disability Benefits

   There are special benefits for  people with disabilities, and special rules
   for  people with  disabilities who  are claiming  ordinary benefits such as
   income support. These rules are very  complicated (as there may be a number
   of different benefits you can claim), so  ^b^6it's always best to get help from
   an  advice worker,  or from  a specialist  disability organisation to check
   which  way  you'll  be  better  off^0^b.  You  can  also call the free national
   disability benefits enquiry line, who will  give you advice, and send you a
   claim form. ^b^6The number for the enquiry line is: 0800 88 22 00^0^b

   See below for a short summary of some of the main disability benefits:

   @sda[!A. ^b^1Severe Disablement Allowance^0^b]
   @dla[!B. ^b^1Disability Living Allowance^0^b]
   @dwa[!C. ^b^1Disability Working Allowance^0^b]

   Some of the special rules for  claiming income support, which, affect young
   people aged 16/17 are listed in the section on claiming @leaving[^1income support^0], are
   listed  in  the  main  benefits  section.  However,  these rules, which for
   example allow most  young people with disabilities to  claim income support
   while still  at school (because they  are not required to  be available for
   work), need explaining, ^b^6so you will really need to check with an adviser^0.^b
sda Severe Disablement Allowance

   Severe  disablement  allowance  (SDA),  is  paid  to  people  who have been
   incapable of work for 28 weeks (196 days). The purpose is to compensate you
   for lost  earnings so those aged  16/17/18 can't claim if  they're still in
   full time education (but if you are over  19 you will be able to claim). As
   you  can see  there are  exceptions to  all the  rules, and  there are four
   different  sets  of  rules  governing  people  who  have  grown  up  with a
   disability and for  those who became disabled later. ^b^6So  the best advice is
   to get advice.^b^0

   Most young  people will claim using  what's called ^6route two^0  which governs
   people who have always been, or became disabled before their 20th birthday.

   Once you've claimed, ^bthere are special rules (route 3), allowing to go back
   onto benefit again (without having to wait  another 28 weeks), if you try a
   job but can't manage it^b.

   Finally there  is another test (route  4), for people who  have have become
   disabled later, who  have to show that they are  80% disabled. This is done
   by totting up a sum by ranking  different injuries. For example: loss of an
   index finger 14%, loss of a thumb 30% and loss of a hand 60%.^b
dla Disability Living Allowance

   Disability living allowance  (DLA) is paid to people who  need help to look
   after themselves  or have difficulty walking.  DLA which is paid  direct to
   the person with  the disability rather than to their  carer, and is paid on
   top of any earnings or other income.

   There are two parts to DLA - the care component and the mobility component.
   The  care  component  is  paid  at  one  of  three different rates, and the
   mobility component  at one of  two different rates.  In brief these  are as
   follows:

   ^b^6Care^b^0  - ^bGET ADVICE - THE RULES ARE VERY COMPLEX^b

   Higher rate (those needing both day ^b^6and^b^0 night care)
   Middle rate (those needing both day ^b^6or^b^0 night care)
   Lower rate  (part time day care or 16+ and can't prepare a cooked main meal)

   ^b^6Mobility^b^0 - ^bGET ADVICE - THE RULES ARE VERY COMPLEX^b

   Higher rate (unable or virtually unable to walk, or deaf & blind or severely
                mentally impaired, no legs/feet or exertion dangerous)
   Lower  rate (needs  guidance  or  supervision  to  walk  outdoors  or in an
                unfamiliar area).
dwa Disability Working Allowance

   DWA is a new means tested benefit,  introduced in April 1992, which is paid
   to  people  with  a  physical  or  mental  disability  which puts them at a
   disadvantage when  getting a job, and  who work for more  than 16 hours per
   week. To qualify, you must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

   a) Disability living allowance, attendance allowance or mobility allowance
      (these are the two benefits which the new disability living allowance
      has replaced).
   b) A disability  premium paid  in  addition  to income  support or  housing
      benefit.
   c) There  is  also  an  additional  test  which  examines  whether  you are
      disadvantaged, but new claimants are only required to sign a declaration.

   If your  income is greater  than your applicable  amount (your needs),  the
   difference will be  reduced. In order to claim you  should get a claim pack
   from the post office or job centre.

   You can  also call the free  national benefits enquiry line,  who will give
   you advice, and send you a claim form.

   ^b^6The number for the enquiry line is: 0800 88 22 00^b^0
disadd Disability Addresses

Lothian Coalition of Disabled People   Disability Scotland
13 Johnstone Terrace                   Princes House
Edinburgh                              5 Shandwick Place
EH1 2PW                                EH2 4RG
Tel: 031 220 6855                      Tel: 031 229 8632

Disability Alliance                    DIAL (Advice Line)
1st Floor East                         Braid House
Universal House                        Labrador Avenue
88-94 Wentworth Street                 Howden East
London                                 Livingston
E1 7SA                                 EH54 6BU
Tel: 071 247 8776/8763                 Tel: 0506 33468

Fashion Services for                   Opportunities for the Disabled
People with Disabilities               1 Bank Buildings
Greenfield Centre                      Princes Street
Green Lane                             London EC2R 8EU
Baildon Bridge                         Tel: 071 726 4963
Bradford BD17 5JS
Tel: 0274 595926                       @mdia[^1More addresses^0]
Mdia More Disability Addresses

PHAB (Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied)
Princes House
5 Shandwick Place
EH2 4RG
Tel: 031 229 3559

PHAB have over 20 clubs in Scotland for 16-30 year olds. They organise
recreational  events, holidays,  conferences and  exchanges. Contact  PHAB for
local addresses.

SPOD (Association to aid the Sexual & Personal relationships of people
with Disabilities - contact head offoce for information on counsellors
in Scotland)
286 Camden Road
London N7 OBJ
Tel: 071 607 8851

The Family Fund (Produce good guide on benefits for young people with
disabilities called "After Age 16 What Next?" - costs £2.50)
PO Box 50
York
YO1 2ZX
EDUCATION Education Rights

   Your parents have a ^bduty^b to make sure that you receive an education between
   the ages  of 5 (some children  may start before or  after this according to
   when their birthday  are), and 16. For details of  school leaving dates see
   section on @leaving[^1benefits^0]. This usually means just making sure that you go to the
   nearest  local authority  school, but  your parents  now have  the right to
   choose a  school, and the  local authority have a duty (in  most cases), to
   provide a place at that school. Your parents can also send you to a private
   school or educate you at home. ^bNOTE^b: If you stay at school after the school
   leaving age,  you acquire many more  rights to make your  own choices about
   your education and speak for yourself in any dispute.

   ^bRegular Attendance^b

   If you  don't attend school  regularly and you  haven't got a  @good[^1good reason^0],
   your parents  may be prosecuted, but  this would usually only  be done as a
   last resort. In  most cases you would be dealt  with by a education welfare
   officer or called  before a @child[^1Children's Hearing^0]. Although  both you and your
   parents should first be warned about the risk of prosecution.

^1^b  ╔═══════╦══════════╦═══════╦════════════╦═══════════╦════════════╦═════════╗
  ║ @au[Rules] ║ @hom[Homework] ║ @dr[Dress] ║ @pun[Punishment] ║ @exc[Exclusion] ║ @com[Complaints] ║ @rec[Records] ║
  ╚═══════╩══════════╩═══════╩════════════╩═══════════╩════════════╩═════════╝^0^b
Good Good Reasons for Not Attending School

You will be counted as having a "good reason" if:

1) ^bThe school is beyond the "statutory walking distance"^b (2 miles for children
   under  8,  and  3  miles  for   children  over  8),  and  no  transport  or
   accommodation is provided to enable you  to attend the school. (If you live
   beyond daily  travelling distance, as  some folk in  the highlands do,  the
   school  must provide  you with  a place  to stay  near the  school, free of
   charge. If they don't, it will count  as a reasonable excuse for not going,
   unless your parents chose a school that was a long way away).

2) ^bSickness^b: backed up by a medical certificate, if asked for.

3) ^bYou don't have suitable clothing or  footwear^b for school and your parents
   are eligible for financial help with this.

4) The school refuses to admit you, but not if you have been @exc[^1excluded^0], for bad
   behaviour.

5) You  are receiving  education elsewhere,  e.g. at  home, so  long as  the
   education  authority are  satisfied that  this education  is adequate and
   efficient.
au The Authority of the School - Rules & Regulations

   The law gives teachers the right to
   act in a parent's  place. What this        ^1@dr[!1.^0 ^bDress & Uniform^b]
   means in practice is that each Head        ^1@hom[!2.^0 ^bHomework^b]
   Teacher is allowed to make whatever        ^1@pun[!3.^0 ^bPunishments^b]
   rules  they  think  are  needed  to        ^1@exc[!4.^0 ^bSuspension & Exclusion^b]
   maintain  discipline,  and  protect        ^1@com[!5.^0 ^bComplaints^b]
   the interests of the school and the
   children. Failure to obey the rules could result in your being excluded (or
   suspended)  from school,  but the  courts are  only likely  to support  the
   school's  decision  if  the  school  rule  in  question  is thought to be a
   reasonable one.  If you are  @exc[^1excluded^0] the  first  right of appeal  is to an
   Education Appeal Committee,  with a further right to  appeal to the Sheriff
   Court if you're still not satisfied.

   Schools may try to avoid being  challenged on whether they can make rules
   about  such  things  as  hairstyles,  by  simply  saying  that you were a
   disruptive influence, but  the Court might not support  them if they  did
   exclude you.  See also @chal[^1Challenging Rules^0]
chal Challenging School Rules and Regulations

   ^b^6REMEMBER:^b^0 If you want to challenge any rule or punishment you will need the
   support of  your parents, (until you're  16), because as the  school act in
   your  parents' place,  any negotiations  would have  to take  place between
   them.

   Don't forget, even when your rights are  clear, you won't often get them by
   making demands in an unreasonable way. You'll usually have to negotiate for
   them. You'll  find that those in  authority always seem to  have more power
   than individuals.

   This is  why it's always  worth getting advice  first, or even  getting the
   support of someone from an advice centre, or a lawyer
dr Dress & Uniform

   ^bIn theory^b, schools have  no power to make you wear uniform,  or to stop you
   wearing the clothes you want to  wear (like girls wearing trousers), unless
   wearing them  might be dangerous  in a particular  lesson like woodwork  or
   metalwork. They can also not stop you from having any hairstyle you choose,
   unless again, it might be dangerous, or bad for discipline. ^bBut^b, the school
   may STILL have  rules about things like hair or  uniform and if you disobey
   them,  you may  be threatened  with  exclusion,  but the  courts would  not
   necessarily uphold  an exclusion on these  grounds. The Education Authority
   can give  your parents money to  pay for clothes, (except  school uniform),
   and also sports  gear if it thinks that  they can't afford to buy  them for
   you. The  Local Authority could  even arrange for  you to be  provided with
   clothing  of it's  own. You  cannot be  punished for  turning up  at school
   without clothes or sports gear if your parents can't afford it.
hom Homework

   Homework  will help  you to  do well  with your  schoolwork. It's therefore
   sensible to do it,  but you shouldn't be made to do  it, or be punished for
   refusing, unless your parents insist on it being done.
pun Discipline - Punishment

   It's up to each Education Authority  or the headteacher to decide what sort
   of  punishments may  be used  in  school.  ^6Any punishment  given should  be
   moderate and  reasonable.^0 Corporal punishment  should now ^bNEVER^b  be used in
   schools, although it's  still permissible in private schools  which are not
   publicly funded in any way.

   ^6Reasonable Punishments^0

   A reasonable punishment  might be being banned from  outings, or playing in
   school teams  etc, (but remember  that the school  could stop these  at any
   time because they're  not obliged to provide them). You  should not be made
   to  do extra  school work  as education  should not  be seen  as a  form of
   punishment.

   ^6Detention^0

   Detention  after school  hours is  not permitted  unless your  parents have
   agreed, but  you can be  removed from your  class during s  school hours if
   your behaviour is  very disruptive. You should not  be removed from lessons
   for an unlimited  period. You cant normally be  punished for something that
   happened outside school hours or outside the school grounds.
exc Exclusion

   You can be excluded from school either for medical or disciplinary reasons.
   Disciplinary reasons might include you or your parents refusing to obey the
   school rules, (but this must be a  serious act like assaulting a teacher or
   another pupil, not  a minor act like occasional swearing  in class). If you
   are excluded  ^b^2your parents must, if  possible be informed the  same day and
   allowed to state their case, (pupils over about 15 are normally entitled to
   state their own case). The school  should provide your parents with written
   reasons for  your exclusion, which  will be needed  if they want  to appeal
   against the exclusion. The appeal is heard by an Education Appeal Committee
   and there is a further right of appeal to the Sheriff Court.^b^0

   ^b^6Exclusion  from  school  does  not  count  as  a  reasonable excuse for not
   attending school, so  it's important to get the problem  sorted out as soon
   as possible if you want to avoid being prosecuted.^b^0

   If you want to avoid being  prosecuted you'll probably either have to agree
   to any  conditions the school  make before they'll  take you back,  or your
   parents will have to arrange for you to be educated at another school which
   agrees to take you.
rec Access to School Records

   The  school  will  have  a   file  of  information  about  you,  containing
   information on  marks and descipline etc.  You can get access  to this file
   (as long  as you have your  parents permission), and you  have the right to
   see  the contents  (although there  are exemptions  which will  prevent you
   seeing information supplied by other bodies such as the Children's Panel or
   information which might  be helpful to you - perhaps  because you might not
   be able to understand it). This is important, as you will want to make sure
   that  the  information  is  all  correct.  In  order  to  get access to the
   information,  you should  write to  the Education  Authority who must reply
   within 40 days.
com Complaints about your School

   Complaints  about teachers  should be  made to  either the  head teacher or
   direct  to  the  Education  Authority.  Any  complaints  you have about the
   general running of the school could also be taken up with the school board,
   ^bon  which pupils  can also  be members^b.  If you  are thinking  of making  a
   complaint you should also consult  your Regional councillor, but you should
   always GET ADVICE.

   Further information:

   There is a really  good book called "The Law of the  School" which has been
   written by the  Scottish Consumer Council, it's meant  for parents but it's
   clear and very easy to understand.

   You should be able to get your local library to get you a copy, or it costs
   £5.95 from bookshops.
Child Children's Hearings

   If you're under 16 you can be  referred to a Children's Hearing for a number
   of reasons:

  ╔══════════════════╗   ^b^6Choose one of the highlighted^0^b   ╔═════════════════╗
  ║ @grn[^1Referral Reasons^0] ║   ^b^6topics,  which  will describe^0^b   ║ @CHwho[^1Who'll be There^0] ║
  ╚══════════════════╝   ^b^6the Children's Hearing System^0^b   ╚═════════════════╝
  ╔══════════════════╗   ^b^6in detail.^0^b                      ╔═════════════════╗
  ║ @Ref[^1What will Happen^0] ║                                   ║ @CHsafe[^1Safeguarders^0]    ║
  ╚══════════════════╝   ^b^6You can  only be referred for^0^b   ╚═════════════════╝
  ╔══════════════════╗   ^b^6one of the  official referral^0^b   ╔═════════════════╗
  ║ @Right[^1Your Rights^0]      ║   ^b^6reasons.^0^b                        ║ @Chdis[^1Panel Decisions^0] ║
  ╚══════════════════╝                                   ╚═════════════════╝
  ╔══════════════════╗   ^b^6If you need  someone to help^0^b    ╔═════════════════╗
  ║ @Chadv[^1Getting Advice^0]   ║   ^b^6represent your interests the^0^b    ║ @CHapp[^1Appeals^0]         ║
  ╚══════════════════╝   ^b^6Panel may appoint a person^0^b      ╚═════════════════╝
  ╔══════════════════╗   ^b^6called a Safeguarder.^0^b
  ║ @Chrep[^1Reports Required^0] ║
  ╚══════════════════╝

Grn The Grounds for Referral to a Children's Hearing

   1) You have committed an offence.
   2) You have failed to attend school regularly without a @good[^1good reason^0].
   3) You are thought to be beyond the control of your parents.
   4) You  have been neglected assaulted  or abused by your  parents, or anyone
      responsible for your  care, or you stay in the  same household as someone
      who has committed an offence against a child.
   5) You have  been the  victim of  @abuse[^1incest^0] or  any other  offence of  a sexual
      nature, (this applies to anyone under 17).
   6) You  are exposed to  moral danger e.g.  someone has been  taking indecent
      photographs of you.
   7) You have been found sniffing glue or some other solvent.
   8) You  are already in  care, and  the  residential unit where  you stay has
      asked for permission  to put you in secure  accommodation (a locked room,
      or  locked section  of the  home),  at  some time  during the  next three
      months, because you have run away before,  and they feel you may run away
      again,  and may  be at  risk,  or  injure yourself  or others.  There are
      detailed  rules  which  govern  how  long  you  can  be  kept  in  secure
      accommodation before a Hearing has given permission.
ref Referral to a Children's Hearing

   Anyone  can refer  you to  a  Hearing,  (including yourself),  but it  will
   usually be done by your school,  the police, or the Social Work Department.
   The person who deals with the referral and decides whether or not to call a
   Children's Hearing is called the Reporter, he/she is a paid member of staff
   whose job  is also to advise  the members of the  Children's Panel (who are
   trained volunteers).

   The job of  the Children's Hearing is to  make a decision which is  in your
   best interests, (not  to hand out punishments) and only  to do this if they
   think you might need compulsory care. So, the reporter may decide to:

   a) Take no action at all
   b) Refer you to the Social  Work Department for Voluntary Supervision (this
      means that, if you and your parents agree, a social worker will meet you
      now and again to talk about how you are getting on).
   c) Call  a Children's Hearing  - the  Reporter  will only do  this if he/she
      thinks you are in need of compulsory care.

   NOTE:  You can  only be  dealt with  by the  Children's Hearing  if you are
   referred for one of the reasons called the @Grn[^1Grounds for Referral^0].
Right Your Rights at a Hearing

   If you have to attend a Hearing you  must be told by letter at least 7 days
   beforehand, (unless you have been taken  into care in an emergency when you
   must be  brought to a Hearing  within 7 days or  released). The letter will
   tell you  the reason why you  have been called -  The @grn[^1Grounds for Referral^0],
   and before the Hearing can proceed  you must both understand these reasons,
   and accept that they are true.

   If you  do not accept  that the grounds  for referral are  true, you should
   still  attend the  Hearing where  the  panel  members will  have to  decide
   whether you would  have been in need of compulsory  care, if not, they will
   take  no further  action -  this  is  called 'Discharging  the Grounds  for
   Referral'.

   If the Reporter decides that the  reason for your referral did justify some
   sort  of  compulsory  care,  your  case  will  go  to the Sheriff, who will
   consider the  evidence and make  a decision.  You  can get Legal  Aid for a
   lawyer to  represent you in court,  (this hearing will only  be attended by
   you, your  parents, the Reporter and  your lawyer). The Sheriff  can decide
   that the grounds are Proved a send  you back to the hearing, or dismiss the
   case. ^2Remember:  YOU YOURSELF can  still refuse to  accept the grounds  for
   referral even if your parents think they are true.^0
CHADV Getting Advice about Hearing's

   Get advice - Either  you or your parents can apply for  Legal Aid under the
   Legal Advice and Assistance scheme, (this will pay for a lawyer to give you
   advice BEFORE a Hearing, NOT at a Hearing). A lawyer could advise you about
   such things as:

   a) Why you have been called to the Hearing.
   b) Whether to accept the Grounds for Referral.
   c) How to present your case at the Hearing.
   d) You  may also want  advice about whether  to accept the  decision of the
      hearing,  or  whether  to  appeal   if  the  decision  seems  unfair  or
      unsuitable, (see next section under Disposals).

   It is  best to check that  the lawyer knows something  about the Children's
   Hearing system,  (which doesn't operate  on the same  sort of rules  as the
   courts), as not many do. It may not  be all that easy to do this, but there
   are lists of  the sorts of cases that each  lawyer specialises in, or staff
   at a youth project or an advice centre may be able to help.
CHREP Reports for a Hearing

   Before the Hearing you will be visited by a social worker who has to make a
   report about your  home, and the way you  live. If you are going  to accept
   the Grounds for  Referral you should co-operate with  the social worker (as
   they may recommend  that no further action should be  taken). ^bIf you do not
   intend  to accept  the Grounds  for Referral,  you should  tell the  social
   worker this,  and you do  not need to  have anything more  to do with  them
   unless you  want to, (although the  social worker may go  ahead and prepare
   reports regardless, so it may still  be worth telling them your views)^b. Ask
   the social worker what is in the reports,  as you have the right to be told
   the gist of what's in them (some social workers may let you see them).

   Your teachers may also be asked to  write a report about how you're getting
   on at school, but  you don't need to discuss the reason  why they have been
   asked to write the report.

   ^2If  you don't  agree with  the reports  or don't  know what's  in them, get
   advice. You  can write your own  report, or get a  friend, lawyer or advice
   worker to help  you. You should then send the  report to the Reporter, (the
   social worker will tell you the address or you'll find it in the phone book
   under Children's Hearings)  who will make sure that  the panel members each
   get a copy before the Hearing.^0
CHWHO Who will be at the Hearing ?

   There will  be the Reporter,  and the three  panel members who  will make a
   decision after reading the reports  and discussing your situation with you,
   your parents and your social worker. You  have the right to take someone to
   the Hearing with  you to speak on your  behalf, (there is no Legal  Aid for
   this, but  some lawyers will do  it for nothing). Most  advice centres will
   also  send  someone  for  nothing,  but  you  could  also  take a friend or
   relative. The  law insists that  your parents attend  the Hearing and  they
   have the right to attend every part of  it (unless you want to speak to the
   panel alone,  but your parents  would have to  agree to leave).  You should
   also be there  all the time, but the  panel might ask you to  leave if they
   feel that something they are discussing  might upset you. Any decision that
   the panel make, should be made while you and your parents are there, if you
   don't think this has happened, you can appeal.

   If you are not accepting the Grounds  for Referral the panel should not try
   to make you change your mind.

   If the  Reporter or the  panel try to  change the Grounds  for Referral you
   don't have to  accept them, (even if they sound  fair), unless you want to,
   because you're allowed 7 days to think them over and get advice.
CHSAFE Safeguarders

   If the  Chairperson of the  panel is worried  that there is  no one to look
   after your interests because for instance, there is an argument between you
   and your parents,  they can appoint someone called  a ^bSafeguarder^b whose job
   it is to represent your interest (but  remember, this might not be the same
   as representing your views).
CHDIS Hearing Disposals

The decision of the Hearing is called  a Disposal, and you must be given clear
reasons for the  decision. You are entitled to have  the reasons in writing if
you ask, you will need them if you want to appeal.

Possible disposals

1) The Hearing can take no action - discharge the Grounds for Referral.
2) The decision could be delayed while further reports are prepared.
3) You could  be referred  to a  residential unit  for up  to 21  days, while
   further reports  are prepared, (if you  are detained, you can  appeal). You
   have the right  to be put in touch  with a lawyer once you're at  the unit
   who will put in an appeal for you.  This appeal must be heard within 3 days
   of its being made, or the warrant to detain you will be cancelled.
4) The Hearing can make a home supervision requirement, this means you'll have
   to meet a social worker regularly at your home or at the Social Work Office.
5) The Hearing can also make a residential supervision requirement which means
   you'll  be  sent to foster parents or to a residential home or school (once
   known as List D schools), where the staff will supervise you.
6) The Hearing may suggest some other action  which  you  agree  to,  such  as
   attending a youth project.
CHAPP Appealing about a Decision of the Children's Hearing System

   You may be able to get @legaid[^1Legal Advice^0]  to help you appeal, even if you didn't
   get it beforehand. You can appeal if:

   a) The Hearing was wrongly conducted.
   b) The reasons were  wrong, unclear  or you disagreed with them.
   c) The Disposal  was unfair  or unsuitable.
   d) You were not asked for your views.

   How to Appeal

   Go to a lawyer as soon as possible, as your appeal must be made in 21 days.
   He/she will help  you to prepare a statement to  send to the Sheriff Clerk.
   If the  Hearing makes a supervision  requirement and you decide  to appeal,
   let the Hearing know, as they may agree to delay the requirement until your
   appeal has  been heard. The  Sheriff can: agree  with your appeal,  turn it
   down, or ask the panel to think again.

   DONT  FORGET -  Supervision requirements  must be  reviewed by  the Hearing
   within a year. You can ask for  a review after 3 months. If the requirement
   is renewed at  the review you'll have to  wait 6 months before you  can ask
   for the next review. Your social worker can ask for a review at any time.
CARE Care Away from Home

   In Scotland if you are under 17 years old you may be taken into Care either
   as  a result  of a  Children's Hearing  or a  Court Hearing  or because the
   police, your parents or you yourself  didn't think you were being cared for
   properly at  home, or you  might be at  risk (of hurting  yourself, getting
   into trouble etc).

   ╔═════════════════════════╗                      ╔════════════════════════╗
   ║ @What[^1What is Care^0]            ║  ^b^6If you're under 12^b^0  ║ @Carcom[^1The Complaints System^0]  ║
   ╠═════════════════════════╣  ^b^6when you're taken^b^0   ╠════════════════════════╣
   ║ @Where[^1Where will you Live^0]     ║  ^b^6into care you will ^b^0 ║ @Carrev[^1Reviews whilst in Care^0] ║
   ╠═════════════════════════╣  ^b^6usually be placed^b^0   ╠════════════════════════╣
   ║ @Inc[^1What will Happen^0]        ║  ^b^6with a family.^b^0      ║ @Caresec[^1Secure Accommodation^0]   ║
   ╠═════════════════════════╣  ^b^6If you're over 12^b^0   ╠════════════════════════╣
   ║ @info[^1Looking at your File^0]    ║  ^b^6you may be placed^b^0   ║ @Carleav[^1Leaving Care^0]           ║
   ╠═════════════════════════╣  ^b^6in a family or in^b^0   ╠════════════════════════╣
   ║ @Careg[^1Rules & Duties in Care^0]  ║  ^b^6a residential unit.^b^0 ║ @Carhelp[^1Useful Addresses^0]       ║
   ╚═════════════════════════╝                      ╚════════════════════════╝

   Unless  it's an  emergency, being  taken into  care is  a big  decision and
   should only take place if everything else has been tried.
What What is care?

   You can be admitted into care either  on a voluntary basis (if your parents
   are too ill to look after you, or you have been abandoned or lost etc). Or,
   in an emergency, taken to a Place of Safety (this will usually be if you're
   thought to be in some physical or moral danger). In this case you should be
   brought to  an emergency Hearing the  next day (unless that's  a weekend or
   holiday), but  you can't be kept  longer than 7 days  unless a Hearing says
   so. Finally, you can be taken  into care directly from a children's Hearing
   which may name the place where you'll have to stay.

   The Government are  currently thinking about making a  number of changes to
   Child  Care Law  in Scotland,  and although  they produced  a paper  called
   "Scotlands Children" in 1993, no final details have been announced yet.

   All young people  received into care have the right  a review (under Section
   20A of  the Social Work Act)  after 6 months in  care, and most authorities
   hold reviews more often.
Where Where Might You Placed

   You may be placed in:

   a) An assessment centre (not many authorities have these anymore).
   b) A  children's  home, or young people's centre.
   c) A  hostel (but only if you're over 14).
   d) Foster parents / community carers (substitute families).
   e) A residential school with its own teachers.
   f) Very  occasionally  you  could be sent by the court to a young
      offenders institution.

   In  an emergency  you could  be placed  wherever there  is a  space but you
   should usually be involved in decisions about your placement.

   Before you are taken into care you will have to have a medical examination,
   but if at all possible this should be done by your own doctor.
INC What will Happen now You're In Care?

   Most authorities will hold a review  (a planning meeting), within the first
   three days  of your stay  in care  (which  you will probably  be allowed to
   attend), to discuss where you're going to live and to make some plans about
   what should be  happening now you're in care. All  the people who will have
   anything to do with what will happen  to you while you're in care should be
   present. This  should include: your  parents/guardians, your social  worker
   and possibly teacher,  residential workers, foster parents etc.  You do not
   HAVE to be there, but if you're  not there to say what you think, decisions
   may be made about you without your agreement. You may feel this will happen
   anyway, but at  least you'll have the chance to  object if you're there. If
   you did not have a social worker  before you came into care you should meet
   him/her when the review takes place.

   The review will  usually discuss the reasons why you  were taken into care,
   and will discuss the  plan for your future. You may be  asked to agree to a
   'contract'  -  an  agreement  between  you,  your  social  worker  and  the
   children's home staff or foster parents about your future. You will usually
   be given a 'key worker' - someone  who you'll meet regularly to discuss how
   you're getting on, and any other problems.
info The Information which is held on You

   The Social Work  Department will have a file of  information about you, and
   the things that happen  to you, and you have the RIGHT  to see the contents
   (although there  are exceptions which  prevent you from  seeing information
   about other people  or information which might be harmful  to you - perhaps
   because you  might not be able  to understand it). Your  key worker or your
   social  worker may  show you  your file  and discuss  the contents. This is
   important, as you'll  want to make sure the information  is all correct. If
   you want to see your file, and haven't been able to sort this out with your
   key worker  or social worker,  you could write  to the Department  formally
   (keeping a copy), and ask to see your file.
Careg The Duties of the Authority & The Rules in Care

   While you're in  care the Social Work Dept  have a duty to look  after you,
   and do what's  best for you. This includes protecting  you from bullying or
   abuse, protecting your right to privacy,  and making sure that you're views
   are always  listened to seriously. You  need to be sure  that if you aren't
   happy with anything that's happening, you can contact a member of staff who
   will talk  to you about  your problem. As  part of their  duty to make sure
   that everyone in their care is  protected from harm, social work units will
   have rules and regulations. These are  mainly designed to make sure that no
   one hurts themselves or other people.

   Rules and regulations about smoking, times to be in at night etc, should be
   explained to you when you arrive. If  you are under 16, or still at school,
   you will be entitled to a  weekly clothing and pocket money allowance, (the
   amount depends on your age). You should be allowed to buy your own clothes,
   but you may be accompanied by a member of staff.

   While in  care you have  the right to  be told about  all the meetings  and
   decisions which will effect you and your future. If this doesn't happen, or
   if you  have any other complaint,  you can contact your  social worker, who
   can call a  review to discuss your @carcom[^1complaints^0], or  you could refer yourself
   to the Reporter to the Children's Hearing.
Carcom Complaints about being In Care

   The social  work department has  a duty  to  ensure that you  are cared for
   properly, and given  all the assistance you need while  you are in care. As
   part of this duty  they must ensure that there is a  clear way in which you
   can make  a complaint, ^6if  anything happens which  you're not happy  about^0,
   such as:

  ^b■^b You've been punished by being slapped, shaken or beaten.
  ^b■^b You've not been given enough privacy, in the bathroom or bedroom.
  ^b■^b Someone has made suggestions to you which you feel aren't right.
  ^b■^b Someone has shown you rude pictures or books.
  ^b■^b Someone  has touched, (or asked to touch) parts of your body.
  ^b■^b You've been given no pocket money.
  ^b■^B You've been locked in your bedroom or other room.
  ^b■^b You were refused food as a punishment.
  ^b■^B You didnt get the clothes you needed/were given second hand  clothes.
  ^b■^b You were made to wear your nightclothes during the day as a punishment.
  ^b■^b You were given medicine or tablets when you weren't ill.
Carrev Reviews for Young People in Care

   Every authority  must hold a review  (under section 20A of  the Social Work
   Scotland Act),  for everyone who has  been in their care  during the past 6
   months.  The people  present may  be include:  your parents/guardians, your
   social  worker and  possibly teacher,  residential workers,  foster parents
   etc. You do not  HAVE to be there, but if you're not  there to say what you
   think, decisions may be made about you without your agreement. You may feel
   this will happen  anyway, but at least you'll have  the chance to object if
   you're there. If you did not have a social worker before you came into care
   you should meet him/her when the review takes place.

   The meeting will usually discuss the  reasons why you were taken into care,
   and will  discuss the plan for  your future. You will  probably be asked to
   agree to a contract - an agreement  between you, your social worker and the
   children's home staff or foster parents about your future. You will usually
   be told who will be your key  worker - someone who you'll meet regularly to
   discuss how you're getting on, and any other problems.

   You may  want to put  your views about  what has been  happening to you  in
   writing, and get  the social worker to make sure  that everyone gets a copy
   before the meeting.
Caresec Secure Accommodation

   There are special  laws governing the use of  secure (locked) accommodation
   for children in  Scotland. The laws are complicated, so  you'll need to GET
   ADVICE, but basically they are as follows:

   ■ Secure accommodation should only be used as  a last resort for those with
     a history  of absconding (running away),  who may be at  risk if they run
     away or be likely to injure themselves or others.
   ■ Your parents must be informed immediately, and you &  your parents should
     be told of your right to  an  immediate investigation by the Reporter to
     the Children's Hearing, (who must be informed within 48 hours).
   ■ You  can only  be kept  in officially  registered secure accommodation,
     not just locked up anywhere.
   ■ No one should be kept in secure  accommodation longer than 7 days, unless
     a Children's Hearing or court have authorised it.

   ^6FINALLY, YOU SHOULD NEVER BE PHYSICALLY PUNISHED IN ANY SITUATION.^0
Carleav Leaving Care

   If you are already in care you may  stay on until you are 18, (although you
   wouldn't be taken into care over the age of 17). In most cases, you will be
   helped to get ready to leave care  by being allowed to look after yourself,
   buy and cook  your own food etc. In  most areas there are also  a number of
   supported flats run by the Social  Work Department, for those who have been
   in care.

   The Social Work Department also has  the power to give young people leaving
   care  financial help  (through Section  24 of  the Social  Work Act).  This
   enables the  Social Work Department to  help anyone up to  21, (or over, if
   they're in  education or training), with  the cost of things  they need for
   their  accommodation  (such  as  furniture),  fees  for  courses or driving
   lessons, or other reasonable expenses such as clothes or transport.

   Before you  leave care you  should try to  get a statement  from the Social
   Work Department which states what has happened to you whilst you've been in
   care,  where  you  lived  and  why  the  decisions  were taken etc, as this
   information  will be  valuable ater  on when  you have  to answer questions
   about your childhood.
Carhelp Organisations & Sources of Help for Young People In Care

   Who Cares Scotland
   Block 5, Unit C3 Templeton Business Centre
   Templeton Street
   Glasgow G40 1BA
   Tel: (041) 554 4452

   Who Cares  is an organisation  run by  and  for young people  in care. Call
   Maureen for the name and number of a contact person in your area. Who Cares
   publish a  regular newsletter, if you  don't get your copy  contact the Who
   Cares office.

   Childline Scotland (Special line for young people in care daily 5pm-10pm)
   Tel: 0800 884444

   Scottish Child Law Centre
   Lion Chambers
   170 Hope Street
   Glasgow
   G4 9BJ
   Tel: 041 333 9305
leaving Leaving School & Claiming Benefit

 Before  you leave  school, you  should have  received your national insurance
 number, (now printed  on a plastic card like a  credit card). You'll need one
 to get  a job, and it  will speed up your  claim for benefit. If  you haven't
 received your card before you leave  school CHECK with the careers office. In
 most cases entitlement  to benefit starts at the beginning  of the term after
 you leave school. There are two school leaving dates in Scotland:

  ^b■^b 31st May  - If your 16th birthday  is between the 1st March  and the 30th
     September.
  ^b■^b Last day of the Xmas Term - If your 16th birthday is between 1st October
     and the last day of February.

 There are therefore two @claim[^1claiming dates^0] in Scotland

  ^1@IS[!A. ^0^b^2Income Support for Young People Leaving School^b^0]
  ^1@BA[!B. ^0^b^2Bridging Allowance between Training Schemes^b^0]
  ^1@TempEx[!C. ^0^b^2Getting Income Support until you find a YT Place^b^0]
  ^1@Exempt[!D. ^0^b^2Full Entitlement to Income Support until you're 18^b^0]
  ^1@SH[!E. ^0^b^2Severe Hardship Regulations^b^0]

  There is a more detailed menu covering  all aspects of @incsup[^1Income Support^0].
IS Claiming Income Support

 Most  unemployed people  are paid  Income Support  to help  with their weekly
 living  expenses.  However,  the  Government  think  that young people should
 either stay at school, find a @govt[^1Youth Training (YT)^0] place, or get a job, rather
 than claiming benefit.  Most young people aged 16/17  therefore have no right
 to  claim benefit,  although there  are both  @tempex[^1temporary exemptions^0] during the
 child benefit extension  period (or until you get  a YT place or a  job), and
 @exempt[^1full exemptions until 18.^0].

 The  Government  took  benefit  away  from  young  people  aged 16/17 for two
 reasons. The first was because they felt that young people (who should not be
 unemployed), need to 'encouraged' to join  YT schemes. The second was because
 they said  that young people should  not be encouraged to  leave home because
 they could get money through the benefit system.

 The rules about YT and benefit state  that your parents can continue to claim
 child benefit  for you, for 3-4  months after you leave  school, or until you
 find a YT place. This period is called the Child Benefit extension period. It
 starts at the @claim[^1beginning of the term^0]  after you leave school which you used to
 be when you could start claiming benefit.

 If you qualify during this period @afterchb[^1you may also qualify later if^0]:
claim Benefit Claiming Dates in Scotland

The  rules previously  stated that  you couldn't  claim until  the end  of the
holidays  after you  left school.  There were  therefore two official claiming
dates in  Scotland (there's another one  at Easter in England).  The two dates
are:

     1st Monday in January    - extension period lasts for 12 weeks
     1st Monday in September  - extension period lasts for 16 weeks

The  change  means  that  for  an  'extension  period'  of 16 weeks for summer
leavers, or 12 weeks for Xmas leavers, or  until you take a YT place or a job,
your parents can continue to claim child benefit, but there will be no benefit
for you.
Exempt Young People Entitled to Benefit Until Age 18

The following  groups will be  able to claim  benefit throughout the  two-year
period until  they are 18.  If you are  entitled to benefit  for one of  these
reasons there are  two rates of benefit, a  lower one if you are  living alone
and a higher one  if you stay by yourself. If you're one  of a couple you only
get the couple  rate of benefit if you  both qualify for one of  these reasons
(if not, you'll only get the single rate).

 ^b■^b those who  are pregnant;
 ^b■^b those who have children, including lone parents and those caring for
   foster children;
 ^b■^b those REGISTERED blind;
 ^b■^b certain  young  people in non-advanced education, e.g. those estranged from
   their parents, orphans and lone parents;
 ^b■^b those who are  incapable of work, e.g.  because  of  chronic illness  or
   disability, but  only if they  are unlikely to  get work within  he next 12
   months;
 ^b■^b those involved  in caring for others;
 ^b■^b those on a training allowance (who can get a benefit 'top up');
 ^b■^b refugees on English courses;

     @nexemp[^1More Exempt Young People Entitled to Benefit Until 18^0]
nexemp More Exempt Young People Entitled to Benefit Until Age 18


  ^b■^b  the  temporarily  sick  (but only after the end of the child benefit
    extension period);
  ^b■^b those  temporarily 'laid off' work, through no fault of their own
    (after the extension period);
  ^b■^b  those released  from prison/detention centre who have good reason for
    living away from  home, but only after the extension  perio and only for a
    maximum of 8 weeks;
  ^b■^b  students under 18 in advanced education, but only during the summer
    vacation;
  ^b■^b  those who would otherwise suffer @SH[^1Severe  hardship^0] (this  might apply to
    young people who  have been thrown out by their  parents and who would not
    be granted automatic exemption.
TempEx Claiming during the Child Benefit Extension Period

  Certain categories  of young people are  still able to claim  Income Support
  during the extension period. The following young people who have good reason
  for living away from their parent  - which could include the local authority
  - are only able  to claim until they get a YT place  or a job (and will have
  to show the careers office that they're really looking).

   ^b■^b one of a married couple whose  partner is over 18, or registered for work
     or YT, or eligible for income support until 18;
   ^b■^b those with no one acting as their parent or guardian;
   ^b■^b those  'in care' or custody  immediately before their 16th  birthday, and
     not living with their parents or with a close relative;
   ^b■^b those placed away from home under the supervision of a social worker;
   ^b■^b those unable to live at home because of threatened physical/sexual abuse;
   ^b■^b the handicapped or mentally ill, who cannot live at home but are still
     capable of work;
   ^b■^b those whose parents are either in prison, chronically sick or disabled or
     prohibited from entering Britain.
   ^b■^b young people  who are @estr[^1estranged from their parents^0], in physical or moral
     danger, or whose physical or mental health might be at serious risk.

   If you qualify during this period @afterchb[^1you may also qualify later if^0]:
afterchb Claiming After the Child Benefit Extension Period.

If you belong to one of the  groups entitled to claim ^bduring^b the Child Benefit
Extension Period, you  may also be entitled to claim  after that period ^6^bfor up
to 8 weeks^b^0 if:

^b■^b you have been discharged from custody;
^b■^b you have to  live away from your parents (or anyone  acting in their place),
  and you are living independently following a period in care;

^bYou'll get income support for as long as you need it if:^b

^b■^b you are  incapable of  work for  example because  of  a  chronic illness  or
  disability, but only if the illness or disability will last for ^bless^b than 12
  months.
estr Estranged From Your Parents?

Young  people who  are living  away from  their parents  may be  able to claim
income support if  they are ^bestranged^b from their parents.

This means that the relationship between you and their parents has got to such
a state that it is  reckoned (by both sides), to be beyond  repair, or has, in
the words used to explain the law "irrevocably broken down".
BA Bridging Allowance

 Once you take a YT place and are on  a scheme (and you're past the end of the
 extension  period), if  you leave  the  scheme  for any  reason you'll  get a
 bridging allowance of £15 per week (£3 per  day), for up to 8 weeks while the
 Careers Office  find you another  place. (If  you  leave during the  12 or 16
 weeks 'extension period'  you won't get bridging allowance,  but your parents
 can re-claim child benefit).

 This is a maximum of 8 weeks in any  52 weeks so if it only takes you 2 weeks
 to find another place  you could still have 6 weeks money.  But if you use up
 the 8 week the  first time you leave a placement, you  would have to wait for
 another  year before  you would  get money  again. If  you refuse place, your
 bridging allowance may be stopped. (Disabled young people can receive the £15
 bridging allowance without time limit until they can find another place.)

^bBridging allowance is paid fortnightly, in arrears^b.
SH Severe Hardship

Those young people who don't fall into any of the above categories may be able
to qualify for benefit because: ^b^2they would otherwise suffer 'severe hardship'.
This might apply to young people who have been thrown out by their parents and
who might  not otherwise be exempted^b^0.  Getting an exemption because  you might
otherwise suffer  severe hardship can be  even more difficult than  it sounds.
First, you'll  have to have  an interview at  your local Benefits  Agency, who
will  then send  the details  on to   a central  office in  Glasgow where  the
decisions  are made.  ^6You may  be asked  some very  personal questions  at the
interview (about why you left home)^0,  but don't be deterred from claiming your
rights, ask a friend  or an adviser to go the interview  with you, to give you
support  and  act  as  a  witness.  The  Benefits  Agency  will  be looking in
particular at the following factors:

  ^b■^b your health, vulnerability & the threat of homelessness;
  ^b■^b whether you have any money or savings which would normally be ignored;
  ^b■^b your chances of getting a YT place or a casual job;
  ^b■^b whether you have any friends or relatives who might help you out.

Those in emergency overnight  accommodation are 'automatically' considered for
a severe  hardship exemption.  If you  wish to  be exempted  for any  of these
reasons contact the Benefits Agency or any advice centre.
SI Signing On

Young people under 18 are still required  to register at the careers office or
job centre. Careers offices are listed in the phone book under CAREERS SERVICE
& Job Centres are listed under EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (or ring directory enquiries
on 192).

If you're  over 18 and unemployed  you have to go  to the Unemployment Benefit
Office to sign  on. You should take your National  Insurance card and your P45
(if you've been  working). You will be given a  UB40 (signing-on card) telling
you  when your  regular signing-on  time will  be. You  have to  sign on every
fortnight to say that you've not been  working, that you are still looking for
work, and that you would take a job if one were offered to you.

For details of  the Government's Availability For Work  rules, see the section
on @govt[^1Youth Training^0].

^2^bWARNING:^b^0 If the Job Centre staff  don't think you are 'actively seeking work',
you may be denied benefit altogether.


^bMore Details on next Screen! - Press Enter or click mouse button to move on ...^b




You will probably NOT be entitled to Unemployment Benefit unless you have been
working, because  it's a benefit paid  on the basis of  the National Insurance
contributions  you pay  when working.  The Unemployment  Benefit Office,  also
deals with claims  for Income Support, from unemployed  people not entitled to
Unemployment Benefit.

Ask for a B1  Form, fill it in, and return it to  the Benefits Agency (part of
the Dept  of Social Security  which deals with  claims), AS SOON  AS POSSIBLE,
otherwise you may lose benefit. If you wish to claim benefit to help with your
rent if  you're not living  at home any  more, you must  also return the claim
form for  housing benefit, to the  Benefits Agency. THIS IS  IMPORTANT AS YOUR
CLAIM WON'T BE DEALT WITH AUTOMATICALLY ANYMORE.

If you  have difficulty filling in  the form, tell the  Benefits Agency or get
advice from any advice centre.
IncSup The Income Support Scheme

Income Support claimants are not paid  on the basis of their individual needs.
All claimants  are grouped together,  for example: young  people, families and
the disabled, and  the people in each group  are all assumed to have  the same
needs. Extra money for special needs  is no longer available, and householders
are not  paid any extra  money. One off,  lump sum payments  which used to  be
available to help with things like furniture have now either been abolished or
replaced with loans.

Income  support consists  of basic  benefit rates  (personal allowances), with
premium additions  for some groups.  There are lower  rates for under  25 year
olds,(as the  government thinks under 25  year olds should still  be living at
home with their parents).


 ^1@SI[!1. ^0^bSigning On^b]                       ^1@LG[!5. ^0^bLost Giros^b]
 ^1@SH[!2. ^0^bSevere Hardship Regulations^b]      ^1@Student[!6. ^0^bStudent Claims^b]
 ^1@SSApp[!3. ^0^bSocial Security Appeals^b]          ^1@SF[!7. ^0^bThe Social Fund^b]
 ^1@workpt[!4. ^0^bRules on Working^b]                 ^1@HB[!8. ^0^bHousing Costs^b]
HB Housing Costs

  If you get  Income Support, you can also claim  housing benefit to help with
  your housing  costs, (unless you  still live at  home with you  parents).

  It will be  paid by the Housing Benefit section  of the District Council. If
  you live in  council accommodation, you won't receive a  giro, but your rent
  will  be  reduced,  ^bperhaps  to  nothing^b.

  If you  stay in privately  rented accommodation the  Housing Benefit section
  will issue a giro, either you or your landlord.
SF The Social Fund

  If you need help with one-off purchases  like furniture you may be offered a
  loan (although there  are still some grants for those  coming out of care or
  leaving detention centre). Although these  loans will be interest free, they
  are not  easy to get,  as the amount  of money the  Benefits Agency has  for
  loans is  limited, so each  month they can  only spend a  certain amount, ^6on
  high priority claimants^0 (young people are not usually seen as a priority).

  There are  no rights, so the  Benefits Agency can hold  onto claims for long
  enough to decide who is the most  deserving. Young people are unlikely to be
  seen as a high priority group, especially as the government thinks all under
  25s should still be living at home wit their parents.

  The  total  amount  which  will  be  offered  as  a  loan  is  worked out by
  calculating a percentage  of your weekly benefit over  a maximum loan period
  of 18  months or less.  As young people  are on lower  rates of benefit this
  percentage won't add up to much, even  if you are offered a loan. Many items
  have been  excluded altogether and these  include deposits for accommodation
  and work related expenses such as working clothes and tools.

  There is a  £100 Social Fund grant available for  Maternity Items, it can be
  applied for from 11 weeks before the birth to up to 3 months afterwards.
Student Full time students

If you  are still at school  or college doing a  'non-advanced' course such as
highers, you can't claim income support  unless you have a child, are disabled
or have left home  because you are @estr[^1estranged^0], there is a  serious risk to your
health or you are in moral danger.

^6As a student you cannot claim benefit ^2at any time^0 whilst on a full time course
unless  you are:  a single  parent, a  disabled student  or a  student with an
unmarried partner who is ill or has a child.^0

^bStudying (Part Time) On The Dole^b

The Government have  announced plans for a new schemne  to start soon, but the
current rules, which  are complex, are as follows: If  you are under 19, which
state that if you study for more than  12 hours per week, you'll be treated as
if you're still at school, so you won't be able to claim income support unless
you are disabled, have a child, or  are @estr[^1estranged from your parents^0]. If you're
over 19,  you'll be able to  claim benefit if for  3 out of the  last 6 months
you've been on a YT course or you've been getting Income Support, Unemployment
Benefit or Sickness Benefit (SB), as long  as the course doesn't last for more
than 21 hours per week, you continue to look for work and are prepared to give
up your studies straight away if you're offered a job.
Workpt Working part time

^2The  rules are  currently as  follows, but  the Government  are talking  about
changing  them soon:^0  If you  are working  part-time (LESS  THAN 16  HOURS PER
WEEK), you should tell the Benefits Agency.  You will be allowed to keep £5 of
your  net wages  (after deductions).  The rest  will be  taken off your Income
Support. If you  don't declare your earnings and the  Benefits Agency find out
they will make you  pay back any benefit that you have  been overpaid, and may
take you to court.

^bVoluntary Work:^b The Government have announced  plans to change the rules soon,
but at present  the rules are as follows: In  future if you're doing voluntary
work the availability  for work test (see section  on Government Schemes) will
mean that if  you still wish to claim  benefit you must be available  for work
within 24 hours. You must also be able  to show that you're not doing the sort
of work  that would normally  be paid, or  if you are  that the person  cannot
afford to pay you.

^bLooking for a full time job^b

If you want to  look for work in other parts of the  country you will now have
to apply for  a loan from the social  fund to help th the  cost unless you can
get help from the Training Agency.
SSApp Social Security Appeals

    ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
    ║                                                                ║
    ║   If  you disagree  with a  decision made  by the  Benefits    ║
    ║   Agency  about  your  INCOME  SUPPORT,  or  you don't feel    ║
    ║   you've been paid the right  amount you can APPEAL (but it    ║
    ║   must be within 3 months  of the decision). Get the appeal    ║
    ║   form, or just write in to the Benefits Agency (but keep a    ║
    ║   copy of your letters).                                       ║
    ║                                                                ║
    ║   There is however ^bNO RIGHT OF APPEAL^b to  the Social Fund, ║
    ║   only the right to request an internal review.                ║
    ║                                                                ║
    ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
LG Lost Giros

 Check with  the Benefits Agency or  Unemployment Benefit Office to  make sure
 your giro was  sent out. If it was,  you will need to report  the loss to the
 police as well as  the benefit office. If the benefit office  want to see you
 take a friend with you to act as a witness. The Benefits Agency will probably
 suspect ^bYOU^b, and will  probably try to waste your time by  sending you off to
 the post office to check whether your giro was delivered.

 Make a note of the date and time  you called and what was said, once you have
 phoned, write  a letter to  the benefit office  telling them that  you've not
 received your  giro and ^6KEEP A  COPY^0, (you can't appeal  against a lost giro,
 but you can take the Benefits Agency or UBO to court because they are legally
 obliged to pay you).

 In the event of an emergency  there are no more emergency payments available.
 Once again, help is only available as  a loan through the social fund. BUT IF
 YOU'VE  ALREADY  HAD  YOUR  MAXIMUM  LOAN,  THERE  WILL  BE  NO  FURTHER HELP
 AVAILABLE.

 GET ADVICE, from the CAB or any local advice centre.
govt Government Training Schemes

 Youth Training  has been around for  about ten years, although  both the name
 and  the  rules  have  changed  a  number  of  times.  The  present scheme is
 compulsory for  all but a  few young  people  although there are  a number of
 exemptions such as those for young  people with disabilities or with children
 to look after. If  you are not one of the exempted  groups, however, you will
 only have  a few months  to find a  place. There is  no benefit available  to
 those who refuse a place.

 ^1@AYT[!A. ^b^0About the Scheme^b]              ^1@HSYT[!G. ^b^0Health and Safety^b]
 ^1@FindYT[!B. ^b^0Finding a Place^b]               ^1@ET18[!H. ^b^0Rules for those over 18^b]
 ^1@INTYT[!C. ^b^0Initial Training^b]              ^1@ETQUEST[!I. ^b^0The Questions^b]
 ^1@RuleYT[!D. ^b^0Rules & Pay Rates^b]             ^1@claimad[!J. ^b^0Claimant Advisers^b]
 ^1@houYT[!E. ^b^0Housing Costs^b]                 ^1@etpun[!K. ^b^0The Penalties^b]
 ^1@UnYT[!F. ^b^0Unions & YT Trainees^b]          ^1@LECS[!L. ^b^0Usefull Addresses^b]
AYT About the Youth Training Scheme

 The Youth Training  Scheme is intended to provide  a flexible training course
 for young  people over 16.  The scheme  is  operated for the  Government by a
 Local Enterprise  Company. The companies  have different names  in each area,
 for example,  in Lothian Region  the Company is  called Lothian &  Edinburghh
 Enterprise  Limited (L.E.E.L).  Whilst on  YT, trainees  work for  nationally
 recognised  qualifications awarded  by SCOTVEC.  The length  of the  training
 period depends on the sort of course you decide to do.

 When the Government  withdrew the right to claim benefit  from 16 and 17 year
 olds  they said  that  anyone  under 18  who had  not found   a job  would be
 guaranteed a  place until at least  their eighteenth birthday. Unfortunately,
 figures from  careers offices show that  in many areas, there  are not enough
 places available  for this guarantee  to be met,  and many young  people have
 been stranded without either training or benefit.

 If you are offered a place you would  have to have a ^bgood reason for refusing
 it, otherwise your  benefit might be cut^b, or you  could be refused a bridging
 allowance.
RuleYT Rules and Rates - Young People & Youth Training

 There are special rules for those with disabilities, who can join a YT scheme
 at any time until the age of  23. For further information contact the Special
 Needs Careers Officer.

 Courses  can be  based with  an employer,  in a  training workshop,  or on  a
 community service scheme.

 The present allowance (^6which hasn't gone up for many many years^0) is:

 £29.50 for the first  year.
 £35.00 for the second year.

 Some unions have, however, been able to negotiate a better rate.

 Trainees are entitled  to claim back travel costs over  £3 per week, and they
 are  entitled to  1½ days  holiday  per  month (18  days per  year), although
 Enterprise Councils can make their own local rules.

@ytsick[^1Sick Pay for YT Trainees^0]
YTSick Sick Pay

        The  basic rule  is that  YT trainees  will be paid their
        training allowance for the first three weeks, if ill, and
        for  the 4th  week if  its certain  they'll be returning.
        Employees would get sick pay for 26 weeks.

        Local Enterprise Councils can set these rules locally.
HouYT Housing Costs for Young People on Youth Training

 Unless you have  your own bedsit or flat  you will not receive any  help with
 your  housing costs.  This is  because  neither  the Benefits  Agency or  the
 Housing Benefit  section of the  District Council can  help with the  housing
 costs  of  those  living  either  with  their  parents,  or  with  friends or
 relatives.

 If you are  NOT living at home, however,  and stay in your own  room or flat,
 you  will probably  be entitles  to Income  Support on  top of  your training
 allowance in  the first year  of your training.  This is because  the benefit
 rate for  young people aged  16/17 who  are  living away from  home (for good
 reason), is slightly  higher than the minimum first  year training allowance.
 In addition, you would be entitled to Housing Benefit to help with your rent.
 If you are in the second year, or  your employer is paying you a higher wage,
 you  won't be  entitled to  Income Support,  but you'll  still be entitled to
 Housing Benefit on top of your YT allowance to help with your housing costs.
FindYT Finding a Place on a YT Scheme

 Details  about  vacancies  on  most  schemes  are  available  through the Job
 centre/Careers office, but  some big shops and companies  advertise their own
 schemes either in  the newspaper or in their shop  window. There is no reason
 why you shouldn't go straight to them  and apply for a place. All schemes are
 meant to  be checked by  the Enterprise Company,  so you can  complain if you
 think you're  getting a bad deal.  The careers office can  also advise you on
 certain  aspects of  your training  and can  discuss your  progress with you.
 Local Enterprise  Councils (LECS), are  responmsible for funding  and running
 schemes in your area.  If the Careers Office can't find you  a place, you can
 complain to the Guarantee Officer at the LEC office.

 You will qualify for the £15 per week @BA[^1bridging allowance^0] for up to 8 weeks if
 you leave your placement, but you will  have to register for another place or
 you will not be paid. Those who are registered as disabled can claim bridging
 allowance without time limit.

 If you think  you were sacked from a training  scheme without good reason GET
 ADVICE.
INTYT Initial Training

         In some areas there is a special sort of Training called
         Initial  Training.

         Initial  Training courses  which can  last for  up to  3
         months are to help those  who might, for any reason have
         difficulty coping with an  ordinary YT placement.

         If you want more information ask your Careers Officer.
UnYT Joining a Trade Union

 You  have the  right to  join a  trade union,  and the  Transport and General
 Workers  union (TGWU),  UNISON, and  the General  and Municipal Workers Union
 (GMWU), are  among the unions who  will accept trainees as  members. (Look up
 the number of your local branch in the phone book).

 ^bWhat A Union Can Do For You^b

 A union will help to represent your  interests, and speak on your behalf, not
 only in getting the best pay and  conditions, but also in representing you if
 you have an accident or any complaint against your employer.

 Note: Young people on YT who are  classed as trainees and not employees, used
 to  be  denied  many  of  the  rights  and  protections  that employees have,
 (covering things like discrimination at work).  The law has now been changed,
 however, to  prevent discrimination on grounds  of sex or race,  BUT trainees
 are still not protected against unfair  dismissal from work. The union could,
 therefore, be very useful in helping with any problems you have.
HSYT Health and Safety at Work

 YT trainees  are covered by the  Health & Safety at  Work laws, (except while
 they're  on educational  courses at  college,  unless  these are  run by  the
 Enterprise Company). Schemes are often not checked, however, and the laws are
 often not effective. There have been a lot of accidents so MAKE SURE that you
 get  the right  training and   the right  protective clothing,  especially if
 you're using  machinery etc. If  you're worried, check  with your supervisor,
 training officer, talk to the union or call the:

 Factory Inspector    (listed under Health and Safety in the phone book).
 Environmental Health (listed under the District Council the phone book).
ET18 The Employment Training Scheme

 The Employment Training Scheme is open to  those over 18 who have to work for
 their previous level of benefit plus  a £10 per week 'training allowance' and
 although the scheme  is still voluntary that are fears  that it, like the YT,
 could be made compulsory.

 ^bAvailability & Actively Seeking work^b

 Anyone over 18 'signing on' to claim benefit has to answer a set of questions
 (on  form  ES461).  The  questions  are  to  test  out  whether you're ^2really
 available for  work, actively seeking work,  and are able &  willing to start
 work immediately^0. The questions are not easy to answer properly and you'll be
 taken  off  benefit  unless  you  can  prove  you  are  looking for work. The
 Unemployment Benefit office staff have been advised that anyone who fills out
 the form  with the help of  a leaflet, should interviewed  by a supervisor to
 make sure they're really giving honest answers. So it's best not to take this
 booklet with you, ^6just think about your answers carefully before you go^0.

 @ETQUEST[^1The Questions^0]

 @claimad[^1Claimant Advisers^0]        @etpun[^1The Penalties^0]
ETQUEST The Actively Seeking Work Questions

1) What work you normally do and what you're looking for. The staff will check
   whether the work you want is available. You're only allowed to hold out for
   the  sort of  work you  normally do  (or want  to do),  for a maximum of 13
   weeks, - less, unless you have specific training or qualifications.
2) What  the lowest wage  you will accept  is - you  should state that  you'll
   accept the going rate for the job.
3) How far  away  from  home you're  prepared to  work, and  what hours you're
   prepared to work.  You need to have thought about  what to say about taking
   evening or night work, and check out where you can get to by bus etc.
4) You'll  have to show that  if you've got a  child, you are able  to arrange
   childcare so that you can start work immediately.

If you do say  that you don't want to take a job  for any reason - for example
because it's too far to travel (perhaps over an hour each way), you'll have to
work hard to show that it's reasonable for you to refuse the job.

@claimad[^1Claimant Advisers^0]

@etpun[^1The penalties for being classed as "Unavailable for Work".^0]
ETpun The "Unavailable for Work" penalties.

You can be  treated as automatically unavailable for work  (for up to 6 months
or for as long as the job is vacant), and could have your benefit reduced if:

a) you fail to apply for a job - or  refuse to take a job - for as long as the
   job is vacant;
b) you have failed to do something to  help you find a job - like attending an
   interview;
c) you're over 18 and single, or one  of a childless couple and you don't take
   up a reasonable offer of local short time work.

 In addition, you'll  have to show that you're  actively seeking work, (you'll
 be given  a form on  which to record  your job finding  activities, which you
 could  be asked  to show  staff at  any time).  This means  doing things like
 applying for jobs by letter or phone,  registering with an agency or going to
 a job  club. The employment  service will expect  you to do  at least two  of
 these things each week. If you cant't  show that you're trying hard enough to
 find work, the Government plan to stop your benefit altogether.

                                        @claimad[^1Claimant Advisers^0]
claimad Interviews with Claimant Advisers

^bThere are now special staff called claimant advisers who are there to check up
on particular groups like young people,  New Age Travellers, and the long term
unemployed, who are all suspected of not doing enough to find work^b. If you are
called for an interview  with a claimant adviser, it may not  be easy, so take
everything you have which will help to show that you've been looking for work.

If you don't go to an interview, your benefit can be cut.

^bIT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT  THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ANSWER,
AS  ONCE YOUR  BENEFIT HAS  BEEN  STOPPED,  THE BENEFITS  AGENCY WILL  BE VERY
SUSPICIOUS IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR ANSWERS.^b

^2Remember what  you said, as  you may be  asked to fill  out the form  again and
you'll be caught out if you give different answers.^0

^6IF YOU'RE NOT SURE ABOUT ANYTHING GET ADVICE BEFORE YOU GO.^0
LECS ^6Local Enterprise Companies^0
Borders Enterprise     Dumf & Gall Enterprise    Grampian Enterprise Ltd
Wheatlands Road        16 Buccleuch Street       27 Albyn Place
Galasheils TD1 2HQ     Dumfries DG1 2AH          Aberdeen AB1 1YL
Tel: 0896 58991        Tel: 0387 54444           Tel: 0224 211500

Lothian Enterprise     Highland Enterprise       Enterprise Tayside
99 Apex House          The Square                Enterprise House
Haymarket Terrace      Grantown-on-Spey          45 North Lindsay St
Edinburgh EH12 5HD     PH26 3HF                  Dundee DD1 1HT
Tel: 031 313 4000      Tel: 0479 3288            Tel: 0382 23100

Fife Enterprise        Forth Valley Enterprise   Dumbartonshire Enterprise
Huntsman's House       Laurel House              2nd Floor Spectrum House
33 Cadman Centre       Laurelhill Business Pk    Clydebank Business Park
Glenrothes Fife        Stirling FK7 9JQ          Clydebank Glasgow G81 2DR
Tel: 0592 621000       Tel: 0786 51919           Tel: 041 951 2121

Renfrew Enterprise     Enterprise Ayrshire       Lanarkshire Dev Agency
Merlin House           Glencairn Business Centre Rowantree House
Mossland Rd Hillington 17-19 Hill Street         166 Park Street
Glasgow G52 4XZ        Kilmarnock KA3 1HA        Motherwell ML1 1PF
Tel: 041 882 6268      Tel: 0563 26623           Tel: 0698 51411
WORK Rights at Work

Unfortunately you  have few rights  in your job  until you've had  the job for
some time.  That doesn't mean that  your employers can do  as they please. All
workers are protected from:

a) Victimisation or dismissal for trade union activities.
b) Race discrimination.
c) Sex discrimination.

^bWomen have the right to equal pay with men.^b

The protection  which the Wages  Councils used to  offer to those  in low paid
jobs, laying  down minimum rates  of pay etc,  has been removed  from everyone
under 21 - IF YOU ARE UNDER 21 YOU ARE NO LONGER COVERED.

Every  employee should  receive a  proper  pay  slip detailing  what is  being
deducted from their pay. Nothing else should  be taken off for things like bad
work, damage etc, unless you agree in writing.

@Lwork[^1Leaving your Job^0]

Lwork Leaving your Job

If you  leave your job without  good reason, or you're  sacked for misconduct,
your unemployment benefit  may be stopped for up to  26 weeks. If this happens
you should  still sign on and  claim income support for  these 26 weeks though
your  benefit will  probably be  reduced to  60%. You  can appeal against this
reduction if  you don't think  you were guilty  of misconduct or  you had good
reason  for leaving.  If you  lose your  job the  situation becomes  much more
complex as you now have few rights until you've been in the job for at least 2
years. You should therefore:

^6^bGET ADVICE ABOUT ANY PROBLEM from your union, an advice centre or a lawyer.^b^0

^2^bOther Sources of Advice:^0^b

Scottish Low pay Unit                   Equal Opportunities Commission
Freepost                                141 West Nile Street
Glasgow G3 7BR                          Glasgow Tel: 041 332 8018

Commission for Racial Equality          Health & Safety Executive
100 Princes Street                      314 St Vincent Street
Edinburgh Tel: 031 226 5186             Glasgow Tel: 041 204 2646
WOMEN Womens Rights

Since the  Sex Discrimination Act  its been illegal  for anyone to  be treated
differently just because of their sex. Discrimination can be direct (obvious),
or indirect (may SEEM to apply to both women and men, but really affects women
far more).  The Equal Pay Act  made it illegal for  women to be paid  less for
doing the same or similar work to men working for the same emoployer.

This can be very difficult to prove, however, so GET ADVICE.

╔══════════════════════════╦══════════════════════════════╗
║  @WDis[^1Discrimination At Work^0]  ║   @WSex[^1Sexual Harassment at Work^0]  ║
╚══════════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════╝

Contact:

Equal Opportunities Commission
141 West Nile Street
Glasgow
Tel: 041 332 8018
WDis Discrimination At Work

This  is extremely  difficult to  prove, and  in all  cases you  will need the
advice of a  lawyer, so, consult your trade  union or a advice centre,  as you
may be able to take your employer to an Industrial Tribunal.

It is illegal for  your employer or anyone else to victimise  you for making a
complaint or for giving evidence about a complaint.

DON'T BE PUT OFF  - Although it will be difficult to  win any case without the
support of a lawyer, an increasing number  of cases are being won, so don't be
put off ^6if you think you've got a valid complaint GET ADVICE^0.

Claims  of discrimination  under the  Sex Discrimination  Act must  be brought
within 3 months of the incidence.

Claims under the Equal Pay discrimination must be brought within 6 months.
WSex Sexual Harassment at Work

Sexual harassment goes beyond the general  sexism which makes it difficult for
women to prove that  they are capable of doing certain jobs.  It is the way in
which  men humiliate  and exercise  power over  women at  work. Harassment can
involve comments,  looks, jokes, or  being physically assaulted  (touched up).
This sort of  behaviour is not only very threatening  and stressful, but makes
many  women feel  that in  some way  they themselves  are to  blame, and this,
together with worries about losing their jobs makes the reluctant to complain.

DON'T BE PUT OFF  - Although it will be difficult to  win any case without the
support of a lawyer, an increasing number  of cases are being won, so don't be
put off if you think you've got a valid complaint GET ADVICE.

Claims  of discrimination  under the  Sex Discrimination  Act must  be brought
within 3  months of the incidence.

Claims under the Equal Pay discrimination must be brought within 6 months.
VIO Violence Against Women

Women and girls of  all ages are vulnerable to violence from  men, they may be
sexually assaulted, or  raped, as well as being  physically attacked. They may
be  subjected to  physical or   mental violence  from husbands,  boyfriends or
lovers, as  well as from strangers,  or they may experience  sexual abuse from
members of  their families (sometimes called  @abuse[^1incest^0]).

Many girls and women  do not report such violence to the  police, or even tell
their friends or  relatives, as they may feel ashamed  or guilty or worry that
they may not  be believed. This means that  they could suffer for a  long time
without sharing this with someone, or getting help or protection.

╔═══════════════════════════╗
║ ^1@RCC[!1. ^b^0Rape Crisis Centres^b]    ║
╠═══════════════════════════╣
║ ^1@WA[!2. ^b^0Womens Aid^b]             ║
╠═══════════════════════════╣
║ ^1@UPA[!3. ^b^0Useful Phone Numbers^b]   ║
╚═══════════════════════════╝
RCC Rape Crisis Centres

        Rape  Cris Centres  exist to  offer help  and support  to
        women and girls who have been raped or sexually assaulted
        in any way. They are run  by groups of women who are able
        to  give confidential  advice  and  support on  legal and
        medical matters.  You can get in  touch either by phoning
        or  writing.  If  you   are  thinking  of  reporting  the
        rape/assault to the police it's  best to get support from
        the centre  first, as the  questioning may be  upsetting.

        ^6The centre  will support you  whatever you decide  to do,
        and  all  help  is  confidential^0.  Even  if  the  assault
        happened a long time ago you  can still ring if you would
        like to talk to someone.

        See below for @UPA[^1addresses and phone numbers^0].

WA Womens Aid

Exists to help women who have  been physically, sexually or mentally abused by
the men  they live with.  Local Women's Aid  groups work throughout  Scotland.
Most groups provide a 24 hour service and can offer:

a) someone to talk  to;
b) help with practical and  emotional difficulties;
c) information about your legal, housing and money rights;
d) refuge where you can stay if you want to leave a violent situation.

All enquiries  are dealt with  in confidence. Women's  Aid groups are  usually
listed in the phone book under Women's Aid and also the name of the area where
the group is situated. The number can also be obtained from the Police, CAB or
Samaritans or contact ^6Scottish Women's Aid at 11 St Colme St Edinburgh EH3 6AG
Tel:  031 225  8011^0. Women's  Aid also   have a  range of  leaflets and  other
information.

@BAREF[^1There are also special Refuges for Black & Asian Women^0]

For information about sexual assault on children by members of their families,
check the section called @abuse[^1Saying No^0].
UPA ^6Rape Crisis Centres (Will put  you in touch with an Incest Survivors Group)^0

Highland                      Ayr                       Dundee
PO Box 10                     PO Box 45                 PO Box 83
Dingwall                      Ayr                       Dundee
N15 9LD                       KA8 8B7                   Tel: 0382 201291
Tel: 0349 65316               Tel: 0292 611298          Wed & Fri 7-9pm
Most evenings: 7-10pm         Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
                              Wednesday 6-9pm           Fife
Edinburgh                                               PO Box 4
PO Box 120                    Ayrshire                  Kirkaldy
Edinburgh                     PO Box 23                 Tel: 0592 642232
EH7 5XX                       Kilmarnock                Wednesday 7-8.30pm
Tel: 031 556 9437             KA1 1DP
Tuesdays 1-4pm                Tel: 0563 41769
Thursday 6.30-9.30pm          Mon-Thurs 11am-4pm
                              Thursday 7-9pm
Glasgow                       Friday 11am-1pm
PO Box 53                                               @BAREF[^1Black & Asian Refuges^0]
Glasgow                       Central
G2 17R                        PO Box 48
Tel: 041 221 8448             Stirling
Wednesday 7-10pm              Tel: 0786 71771  Monday 7-9pm
BAREF Black & Asian Women's Refuges:

There are now also special refuges for Black and Asian women, who may not only
suffer from abuse but from difficulty in communicating their problems and from
@race[^1racism^0].

Shakti Womens  Aid              Gryffe Womens Aid
(Black Women)                   Room 8
12 PIcardy Place                Old Community Centre
Edinburgh                       The Cross
EH1 3JY                         Kilmalcolm
Tel: 031 557 4010               Tel: 0505 872529


You  may also  wish to  ring the  Scottish Child  Law Centre  or Childline for
advice, their numbers are:

^1@childlaw[!1. ^0^bScottish Child Law Centre^b]:      Free Advice on 0800 317 500
^1@ccl[!2. ^0^bChildline^b]:                      Free help/advice on 0800 1111
abuse Saying "No" to Bullying & Abuse

Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe. If other people threaten you,
or want to do things to you that you don't want them to do, you have the right
to say  "no", and to  @talkto[^1seek help^0] if  you're not listened  to. ^6Being bullied  or
abused is not just part of growing up, and you don't have to put up with it^0.

Bullying, physical  abuse and @AbSex[^1sexual  abuse^0] are all  abuses of power.  This is
when someone  threatens you, hurts you,  or persuades you to  do something you
don't want to  do, and because of who  they are, it is difficult  to stop them
and they know  that. This makes it very difficult  to tell anyone about what's
going on.

        ^1@Absex[!1. ^0^bSexual Abuse^b]
        ^1@Talkto[!2. ^0^bFinding someone to talk to^b]
        ^1@CCL[!3. ^0^bChildline^b]
        ^1@Childlaw[!4. ^0^bThe Child Law Centre^b]
Absex Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse takes place when anyone involves a child under the age of consent
in ^6any activity^0  which is intended to lead to  sexual arousal or gratification
(regardless of whether they do it on purpose or through neglect).

Sexual abuse is a crime, and in recent  years there has been a big increase in
the number of  cases reported. Studies suggest that sexual  abuse is not rare.
^bOne man in ten is believed to be sexually abusing children in his care, mostly
girls, although a  significant number of boys are now  known to be abused too.
It  is also  believed that  as many  as one  out of  four women  were sexually
molested as children and teenagers^b.

Sexual  abuse  may  include  activities   such  as  rape,  sodomy,  or  sexual
intercourse  with  children,  homosexual  practices  with  children,  indecent
exposure  or assault,  taking  indecent  photographs of  children, encouraging
children to become prostitutes or watch sexual intercourse.

Sexual intercourse can be carried out by a complete stranger or by someone you
know. It can also take place between children and young people.
Talkto Find Someone to Talk To

Those  who've been  abused, often  find it  hard to  talk to  anyone about it,
because more often than not, the abuser is not a stranger but someone you know
and you  trusted, or who  has authority over  you, such as  fathers, relatives
(whether 'natural'  adopted or step), family  friends, youth leaders, teachers
or lodgers etc. ^bNo one deserves to  be physically or sexually abused under any
circumstances^b, and yet  you may be afraid that if  you tell someone about what
is hapenning to you, they may not understand or believe you.

If you don't feel happy about anything  that's happening, you may want to talk
to someone  you trust about  it, or  to  'phone @CCL[^1ChildLine^0] about  it.
^bDon't forget, whoever  is involved, you have the  right to say no, even  if it
hurts their  feelings, causes embarrassment  or gets someone  into trouble^b. If
you can't stop  them talk to someone you know  about it, or contact Childline,
@rcc[^1Rape Crisis^0], the Social Work Department  or the police (who now have specially
trained officers  to deal with abuse).  The Social Work Department  and police
have a legal  duty to help children and  young people who have been  abused in
any way, and together will take whatever action is necessary to protect you or
any other children who are at risk of abuse.

                                              Press enter to continue.....


You may  find it easier  to talk to  someone like a  teacher, a youth  leader,
nurse or doctor first,  and they will help you decide what  to do, and whether
to contact the  Social Work Department. All of these  workers are committed to
working together to help abused children and young people.

Another source  of advice for  young women who  have been sexually  assaulted,
raped or abused are the network of  Rape Crisis Centres which give help advice
and information  to girls who  are being sexually  molested, and to  women who
have had such  experiences in the past. There  are self-help groups throughout
Scotland  where young  women can  meet with  other women  who have had similar
experiences. All  the @upa[^1Scottish Rape Crisis  Centres^0] are listed in  the section
called "Violence Against Women".
CCL Childline

You can ring (or write to), the  Childline service at any time, free of charge
for confidential help and  advice. ^bYou may also want to ring  if you have been
abused and are worried about feelings you  have, or things you want to do with
other children^b. All help is Strictly Confidential  - you will not be asked for
your name. The  counsellors at Childline will listen to  your problem and help
you sort  things out. As  ChildLine is free,  calls you make  to them will not
show up on the phone bill, so  you needn't worry about anyone finding out that
you've called. ^6The number, (from anywhere in Britain) is: Tel: 0800 1111^0

Childline also  has a special number  for young people who  are in care, which
you can also phone FREE on 0800 884444.

If you want to write to Childline (you don't need a stamp), the address is:

Childline FREEPOST 1111 Glasgow G1 4BR

When Childline write back, it will  be in an ordinary handwritten envelope, so
nobody will  know the letter is  from Childline. If you're  worried about your
letters being opened, make sure you give Childline a safe address.
ChildLaw The Scottish Child Law Centre

You  can phone  the ^2Scottish  Child  Law  Centre^0 for  advice about  your legal
rights. If  they can't help  you themselves, they  will be able  to put you in
contact with a solicitor or another organisation who can help you.

The Scottish Child Law Centre
Lion Chambers
170 Hope Street
Glasgow.
Open:      Tue-Fri 10am-4pm

Telephone:             041 333 9305
Freephone Advice line: 0800 317 500
fam Family Breakup - Some Information.

In  Scotland, as  many as  one marriage  in every  four may  end in divorce or
separation. As  half these marriages  involve children under  16, this section
has been included  to try to help you understand  what happens if your parents
decide to  split up. If your  parents split up, it  may come as a  surprise to
you, but if things have not been very  happy at home you may also feel a sense
of relief.

This is not  unusual, ^6just remember, whatever the  situation, you should never
feel guilty, because you are never to blame if your parents split up^0. Both you
and your  parents will probably feel  quite confused about your  feelings, but
while you may feel trapped in the  middle and wish that your parents would get
back together again,  there isn't likely to be  much you can do to  change the
situation.

You  may feel  left out  or ignored,  but remember  that family  breakup isn't
something unusual, so  you shouldn't feel embarassed to talk  about it. Try to
talk to your friends about how you feel, as they can often be a great help and
some of them are bound to have suffered the same sort of experience as you.


        @md[^1Making Decisions^0]      @BCH[^1Being Consulted about what happens^0]
MD Making Decisions

Once  your parents  have decided  to split  up, they'll  have to  make lots of
decisions.  These will  be about  things like  where each  of your parents are
going to  live, who you'll live  with, how often you'll  see your other parent
and whether you'll stay  at the same school etc. They will  also have to split
their  money, which  may mean  that there  is a  lot less  to go around. These
decisions are hard to make and your parents probably won't agree. You probably
won't like the decisions they make, but  try to remember that it's a difficult
time for everybody, and no one will be very happy about having to live through
such an upsetting  time. At the end of the  day, however, it's probably better
for  your parents  to try  to get  everything sorted  out rather  than staying
together if they're not happy.

You may have  been living with just one  parent, if they become involved  in a
new relationship, you may find it difficult  to get on with their new partner.
Try  to talk  to them,  to friends,  or to  other people  you trust about your
feelings.

^6If you feel  left out, it's important to  tell your parents how you  feel, and
ask them what's happening.^0
BCH Being Consulted about what happens

        The older you are the more right you have to be consulted
        about where you'll live, how  often you'll see your other
        parent - and for how long,  and where you'll go to school
        etc.

        ^6For further advice contact:^0

        ^1@Childlaw[!1. ^0^bScottish Child Law Centre^b]
        ^1@fms[!3. ^0^bFamily Mediation Scotland^b]
        ^1@Step[!3. ^0^bStepfamilies in Scotland^b]
        ^1@ccl[!4. ^0^bChildline^b]
step Stepfamilies in Scotland


                Stepfamilies in Scotland
                10 Abbotsford Crescent
                Edinburgh
                EH10 5DY
                Tel: 031 452 9439
FmS Family Mediation & Conciliation Services

Familiy Mediation Scotland      Tel: 031 220 1610
127 Rose Street South Lane
Edinburgh EH2 4BB

Local Family Conciliation Services

Local Branches at:      Borders         Tel: 0573 420722
                        Central         Tel: 0786 472984
                        Dumfries        Tel: 0387 63185
                        Fife            Tel: 0592 751095
                        Aberdeen        Tel: 0224 630050
                        Moray           Tel: 0343 540801
                        Highland        Tel: 0463 712100
                        Lothian         Tel: 031 226 4507
                        Shetland        Tel: 0595 3679
                        Glasgow         Tel: 041 332 2731
                        Ayrshire        Tel: 0563 72429
                        Tayside         Tel: 0382 201343
                        Western Isles   Tel: 0851 870 497
POLIS You & the Police

You can  be stopped by  the police at  any time if  they want help  with their
enquiries, and you can of course offer  to help voluntarily. If you don't, ^bthe
police can demand to know your name  and address, but they should only do this
if they suspect  that you have witnessed or committed  a crime^b. They must tell
you  what they  suspect you  of having  seen or  done, but  they don't have to
answer any of your  other questions. If you are under 16  tell the police your
age as well as your name and address as you have different rights.

       ^1@Sear[!1. ^0Search]
       ^1@Stat[!2. ^0Going to The Station]
       ^1@happen[!3. ^0What might Happen]
       ^1@Detain[!3. ^0Detention]
       ^1@Charge[!4. ^0Being Charged]
       ^1@arrest[!5. ^0Arrest]
       ^1@contact[!6. ^0Contacting Someone]
       ^1@duty[!7. ^0The Duty Solicitor]
       ^1@Appco[!8. ^0Appearing in Court]
       ^1@poladv[!9. ^0Further sources of advice]

Sear The Police Search Powers

        The police can search you  if they have reason to believe
        you  are  carrying  an  offensive  weapon  or  any of the
        following:
                   drugs,
                   firearms,
                   stolen goods,
                   birds eggs,   or
                   anything  connected with  terrorism,

      ^6You should only be searched by someone of your own sex^0.
Stat Going to the Station

If the police  want you to remain with  them, or go with them  to the station,
they may ask  you to go of your  own free will, (instead of  being arrested or
detained). ^6If  you decide to  do this you  should be quite  free to make phone
calls or  leave the station  any time^0. They  may ask you  to sign a  voluntary
certificate (as evidence  that you went of your own  free will), ^bBUT, going of
your own  free will may  in fact mean  that you are  kept much longer,  as you
could be detained for a further six hours as soon as you ask to leave.^b

ASK WHETHER YOU'RE  BEING ARRESTED OR DETAINED. If not,  you should be free to
go. Don't  just assume you're being  arrested or detained because  a policeman
says something  like "come with me".

YOU'RE  ONLY  UNDER  ARREST  OR  DETAINED  IF  THE  POLICE  SAY SO, OR IF THEY
PHYSICALLY STOP YOU FROM LEAVING.

Note: If you know the police are looking for you then its probably best if you
get a lawyer to  go with you to the police station,  or to make an arrangement
for you to go at a particular time.
Happen What Might Happen to You

You may be SEARCHED, PHOTOGRAPHED or FINGERPRINTED, but ^bif you're not charged,
or you are proved innocent, any prints or photo's should be destroyed^b.

^bYou should not be subjected to  any other physical examination required, or to
give  a blood  sample or  even a  handwriting sample  which might  be used  as
evidence against you, unless the police have a warrant^b.

If you are  unwell or are injured ask  to see a doctor straight  away, and ask
for a solicitor.

^6Remember: you dont have to say anything to the police except to give them your
name and address  (it may be better to  wait until you've seen a  solicitor if
you're not sure, nor do you have to sign anything you don't understand or
agree with^0.

Whether you're arrested or detained, try to remember what is said and write it
down as soon as possible after your release.

If you have not been arrested you don't have to take part in an identification
parade. Once you've  been arrested you cannot refuse, BUT  ASK FOR YOUR LAWYER
TO BE PRESENT.
Contact  Contacting Someone Else

If you have  been detained or arrested, you  have the right to have  a message
sent to:

A SOLICITOR -  you can ask for  any solicitor of your  choice to be contacted,
but  under  the  @legaid[^1Legal  Aid^0]  rules  only  the  @duty[^1duty  solicitor^0] will be paid to
represent you until your first court appearance.

ONE OTHER NAMED PERSON:

a)  If you  are over  16 it  can be  a parent,  friend or youthworker etc. The
    Police  can only  refuse this  if they  suspect that  the person  you want
    contacted may have been involved in committing the crime with you.

b)  If you are under 16 THE POLICE MUST INFORM YOUR PARENTS STRAIGHT WAY.

You shouldn't be interviewed until they, or another adult of the same sex gets
there.
duty The Duty Solicitor

        The Duty Solicitor is a  solicitor who has put their name
        on a rota and is willing to do extra work by being called
        out to see people who  are arrested or detained.

        However,  the duty  solicitor may  be someone  who is not
        used to working in the criminal  court, so if you are not
        happy with the advice you are given, you should insist on
        pleading NOT GUILTY.

        After  the first  court appearance  you may  want to  see
        another solicitor, (but you wont get help with paying for
        another solicitor  quickly, as they'll need  to apply for
        @Legaid[^1Legal Aid^0] within 14 days.
Detain Detention

There are a number of laws which give the police the right to detain suspects.
These include the drugs and terrorism laws but may also include local bye-laws
as well.  Usually, people are  detained under the  Criminal Justice (Scotland)
Act, which  gives the police the  power to detain you  for up to 6  hours, ^6but
only if they  suspect you have committed, or were  about to commit an offence,
punishable  by  imprisonment^0.  The  police  must  tell  you  why  you're being
detained,  and they  must keep  a record  of when  you were  detained and what
happened. You have the right to told when the 6 hours are up.

^6NOTE: You can't be detained for the same thing again.^0
Arrest Arrest

        The police do not always need a warrant to arrest you. If
        you  are arrested  you must   be told  WHY you  are being
        arrested,  and  you  should  be  cautioned  - warned that
        anything you say can be  taken down and used in evidence.

        ^2THIS  INCLUDES WHAT  YOU SAY  ON THE  WAY TO THE STATION^0.

        When  they  arrest  you  the  police  can remove all your
        possessions and they will ask you to sign for them. Check
        the list,  and sign under  the last item  so that nothing
        can be added.
Charge Being Charged & Bailed

Once you have been charged, the police can release you and a summons may later
be  served on  you, they  can release  you on  'police bail',  or keep  you in
custody. If they  keep you in custody you  must be brought to court  within 24
hours (48 at weekends  or on holidays). If the police release  you on bail you
will have to  sign a bail form, on  which you promise to appear  in court on a
certain date. You ^6MUST^0 appear at that  time or warrant will be issued for your
arrest, and this could lead to a fine, or imprisonment, or both.

Once you have been charged ask to  see the senior police officer about getting
bail.  Most people  are given  bail automatically,  but if  you are already on
bail,  community service,  probation, or  have a  deferred sentence  or a long
record you are unlikely to be given bail by the police.

If the police don't give you bail, your solicitor will have to request bail in
court. ^6If  you don't have  anywhere to stay,  ask to see  the bail information
officer (if  there is one  in your area),  in the police  station before being
taken  to court  in the  morning, as  you won't  get bail  unless you  have an
address^0. If there  are any conditions imposed your bail  (such as staying at a
particular  address or  reporting to  the police)  you will  receive a written
statement CHECK IT to make sure  details like the address are correct, because
if  they're not  you could  have problems  later.
Appco Appearing in Court

Whether  you  are   detained  in  custody,  or  released   on  bail,  you  are
automatically entitled  to the services of  the @duty[^1duty solicitor^0] when  you first
appear  in court,  but the  solicitor of  your choice  will normally  agree to
represent you. If you are released on  bail your trial could take some months,
but if you are  held in custody it must be within 40  days (in the District or
Sheriff  court where  the Sheriff  sits alone),  or 110  days (in more serious
cases where the Sheriff sits with a jury.
Comp Complaints Against the Police

If you have  a complaint, put it in  writing, KEEP A COPY, and  send it to the
Chief Constable  for your area,  at police headquarters.

Complaints about the police are very serious, and could cause you more trouble
than they're worth unless you've got a very  good case.

BUT DONT BE PUT OFF IF YOU'VE GOT GOOD CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT. If you're thinking
of complaining here are some points to remember:

1) GET LEGAL ADVICE.
2) Be  sure you've got  some photos taken  if you were  injured, and make very
   sure of your facts.
3) Don't  complain unless you mean  to go through with  it, or you may  end up
   charged with wasting police time.
Poladv Advice about the Police

For Advice Contact:   @childlaw[^1The Scottish Child Law Centre^0]

There's a useful  leaflet you can get (there's a  different one for over/under
16's) called: "Your Rights if Stopped, Detained or Arrested by the Police"

You can get it from either:

Castlemilk Law Centre (041 634 0313) or

Scottish Council for Civil Liberties (041 332 5960)

        @uadd[^1Check Address Section for full addresses ->^0]
LEGAID The Legal Aid Scheme

Legal Aid covers the cost of employing  a lawyer. There are different sorts of
Legal Aid, according to what sort of case you're involved in, and what sort of
court you'll be  appearing in, but the solicitor will  know what to apply for.
The two sorts that will affect most young people are Legal Advice & Assistance
(you might use this  to get advice from a lawyer before  going to a Children's
Hearing), and Criminal Legal Aid (if you have to appear in court).

Solicitors who offer help through the Legal  Aid scheme will have a sign which
looks something like this in their  window (well, actually it will look better
than this - because this programme won't draw round heads)!

          ╔═══╗       ╔═══╗
          ║   ║       ║   ║
          ╚═══╝       ╚═══╝
      ╔═════╗          ╔═════╗     ^1@AA[!1^0. ^bLegal Advice & Assistance^b]
      ║     ║          ║     ║     ^1@CrimLA[!2^0. ^bCriminal Legal Aid^b]
      ║                      ║
      ║   ═══════╦═══════    ║
      ╚═════╗    ║    ╔══════╝
    ╔═════  ║    ║    ║  ═════╗
    ║       ║    ║    ║       ║
AA ^6Legal Advice and Assistance^0

        This  covers nearly  every form  of Legal  Advice and may
        cover representation in the  criminal court under the new
        ABWOR  scheme, (Advice  By Way  Of Representation). Civil
        Legal  Advice and  Assistance  is  not available  for any
        court appearance.

        If you are on Income Support or your income is low, Legal
        Aid is FREE. See a lawyer  with the Legal Aid sign in the
        window, or contact an advice centre for addresses.
CrimLA ^6Criminal Legal Aid^0

        This covers criminal court cases,  if you were in custody
        the duty solicitor will be  paid to represent you at your
        first  court appearance,  (but  if  you have  a solicitor
        he/she may also agree to represent you). After your first
        appearance you  will need to apply  for Legal Aid, which,
        if it's granted will be free.


        ^1@cust[!A^0. If you are in custody]

        ^1@ncust[!B^0. If you're not in custody]
cust If you  are in custody .....

If you  are in custody,  you automatically get  free Legal Aid  up to, and at,
your  first court  appearance, from  the duty  solicitor. In  practice, if you
would  prefer another  solicitor to  represent you,  they will  normally do so
without charging  you, but check first.  After your first appearance  in court
what happens depends on whether you plead guilty, and which sort of court your
case is going to be heard in.

^6Sheriff & District Court^0 - If you  plead not guilty, your solicitor will apply
for Legal Aid from the Legal Aid Board.

^6Jury cases^0 - Your solicitor will apply for Legal Aid from the court.

In both cases you may have to convince the Legal Aid Board that it would be in
the 'interests of  justice', (you've got a good case)  but your solicitor will
do  this for  you. If  you're refused   you can  appeal or  you can  represent
yourself. You can  still apply for Legal Advice and  Assistance but the lawyer
won't be paid to represent you in  court (a solicitor who regularly appears in
the criminal court will normally continue to represent you.

For further advice, contact: The @childlaw[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0]
ncust If you not are in custody .....

If you are not in custody, you may  be able to get @AA[^1Legal Advice and Assistance^0]
to help you decide  what to do such as whether to plead  guilty or not. If you
plead not guilty, you may get Legal  Aid. There are different ways of applying
depending  on what  sort of  case it   is (but  your solicitor  will make  the
application for you).

Sheriff & District Court - If you  plead not guilty, your solicitor will apply
for Legal Aid from the Legal Aid Board.

Jury cases - Your solicitor will apply for Legal Aid from the court.

In both cases you may have to convince the Legal Aid Board that it would be in
the 'interests of  justice', (you've got a good case)  but your solicitor will
do  this for  you. If  you're refused   you can  appeal or  you can  represent
yourself. You can  still apply for Legal Advice and  Assistance but the lawyer
won't be paid to represent you in  court (a solicitor who regularly appears in
the criminal court will normally continue to represent you).

For further advice, contact: The @childlaw[^1Scottish Child Law Centre^0]
COURT The Courts

Young  people  under  16  are  only  brought  to  court in very serious cases,
(murder, serious assault, rape, crimes involving  a weapon, those in which the
young  person might  be banned  from  driving,  and if  they are  charged with
committing a crime with an adult).

Young people over 16, charged with an  offence, may be dealt with by the court
unless  they have  already been  put on  a supervision  order by  a Children's
panel. In this case  they are sent back to a Hearing  first, for the advice of
the panel.

In Scotland,  it is the  PROCURATOR FISCAL who  decides which court  your case
will be tried in, you cannot demand a trial by jury.

^1@DC[!1^0. The Different Courts]
^1@sent[!2^0. Sentencing]
^1@Fines[!3^0. Fines]
^1@Solicitors[!4^0. Solicitors]
DC The Different Courts

^6District Court^0

Cases are  heard by a Justice  (no jury). This court  normally hears breach of
the peace  cases, thefts (to  the value of  £500), minor assault  etc. In this
court the Justice judges the facts, but they get advice on the law.

^6Sheriff Court^0

Most common  cases are heard by  the Sheriff alone, who  judges both the facts
and the law.  In more serious cases the  Sheriff sits with a jury  of 15, here
the Sheriff decides on the law and the jury judge the facts.

^6High Court^0

The most serious cases are heard in  the High Court, murder, rape, assault and
treason etc. They are always heard by a Judge and 15 jurors. In the high court
you have to be represented by both a solicitor and an advocate
Sent Sentencing

The Courts  have wide discretionary power  regarding sentencing. Their options
are as follows:

^b^6■^0^b Absolute discharge
^b^6■^0^b Admonition (a telling off).
^b^6■^0^b Sentence deferral.
^b^6■^0^b Community service.                    @senexp[^1Sentences Explained^0]
^b^6■^0^b Probation.
^b^6■^0^b A fine or compensation order.
^b^6■^0^b A prison or detention sentence.

Which sentence  the courts choose, depends  on a number of  things such as the
type  of  offence   committed,  and  whether  the  person   has  any  previous
convictions.

In most cases  a social worker would have  to write a report called  a "social
enquiry report".
Fines Fines

The court won't always impose a fine, but if they do, they will normally allow
time to pay (by instalments) BUT THEY  HAVE TO BE ASKED, (those on benefit can
ask  to pay  fortnightly). It's  important that  you only  offer what  you can
really afford as you'll  be in worse trouble if you don't  pay. The court will
usually only refuse this if you have no fixed address.

People who  are imprisoned while they  still have unpaid fines,  can contact a
solicitor who can  arrange to have the fine converted  into a prison sentence,
which  will be  served at  the same  time as  the new  sentence. If  the court
imposed a fine or a number of days in prison (which it will usually only do if
you are over 21),  you can be arrested for failing to  pay only one instalment
of your fine.

If no alternative  prison sentence has been imposed by  the court, and someone
gets behind  with paying the instalments  of the fine, they  will be called to
attend a  ^6Means Enquiry Court^0  where they  will  have to explain  why they are
behind. If their situation has changed they may be able to arrange to pay less
each  time. It's  usually best  to contact   the Clerk  of the  Court or  your
solicitor as soon  as payments get behind, as this  way problems can be sorted
out before the person gets arrested.
Solicitors Solicitors

        Remember, not all solicitors  work in the criminal courts
        regularly. Anyone  who is not happy  with the advice they
        are given  should go to another  solicitor.

        NO ONE SHOULD EVER PLEAD GUILTY UNLESS THEY'RE ABSOLUTELY
        SURE THAT  IT'S THE RIGHT THING  TO DO. IF IN  ANY DOUBT,
        ALWAYS PLEAD  NOT GUILTY, the plea  can always be changed
        later.

        ALWAYS REMEMBER: A solicitor can only advise you, it's up
        to you whether you take that advice.
SenExp  Setences further Explained.........

^6Imprisonment:^0 Those aged 16-21 who commit offences for which an adult would be
sent to  prison, will be sent  to a YOUNG OFFENDERS  INSTITUTION (YOI). If the
sentence is  a long one they  will be transferred to  prison before their 23rd
birthday.

^6Alternatives to  Custody:^0 The court  doesn't always impose  a prison sentence,
but can place offenders on probation or sentence them to community service.

^6Community Service  Orders (CSO):^0 In  most parts of  Scotland offenders can  be
sentenced  to  up  to  240  hours  of  community  service,  (unpaid work under
supervision). This sentence can only be imposed if the convicted person agrees
to  it, and  the hours,  (which must  be worked  outside their  normal work or
educational  time) must  be completed  in  a  year. The  court can  cancel the
community service  order at any time  if they're not satisfied  with your work
and can then fine you or impose a custodial sentence.

^6Appeals:^0 There are usually strict time limits, so GET ADVICE QUICKLY.
SEX All You Ever Wanted to Know about Sex!

Sooner or later  most people meet someone they're attracted  to and would like
to have  sex with! ^6This is  great but there are  some things its best  to know
first^0, particularly in these days of  @aids[^1HIV/AIDS^0].

If you want to have sex, respect your partner, get condoms and use them. ^6Don't
forget, it's better to get embarassed than to get infected^0! If a man and woman
have sex  without using some form  of contraceptive, they risk  infection, and
it's very  likely that the  woman will become  pregnant. You may  know someone
who's been stupid enough to take a chance once or even twice and got away with
it, but that's just good luck  and won't last long. Getting (someone) pregnant
is more trouble than getting a contraceptive.

^bREMEMBER:  There's more  to making  love than  a quick  ten minutes behind the
bicycle  shed! You  certainly won't  enjoy it  if youre  only doing it because
someone says "everyone else does it" or,  "you would if you really cared". You
must both want to make love.^b

╔════════════╦══════════════════╦═════════════════╦════════════════════╗
║ @slaw[^1The  Law^0]   ║ @sour[^1Sources of Help^0]  ║ @plan[^1Family Planning^0] ║ @adopt[^1Adoption/Abortion^0]  ║
╠════════════╬══════════════════╬═════════════════╬════════════════════╣
║ @myth[^1The Myths^0]  ║ @scont[^1Contraceptives^0]   ║ @preg[^1Pregnancy^0]       ║ @sdis[^1Sexual   Diseases^0]  ║
╚════════════╩══════════════════╩═════════════════╩════════════════════╝
Myth The Myths about getting Pregnant

There are  still lots of old  wives tales around, about  ways to avoid getting
pregnant, these include:

^6^B■^0^b Urinating  after intercourse.
^6^B■^0^b Holding your breath or coughing when the man comes.
^6^B■^0^b Douching after intercourse (which can be dangerous).
^6^B■^0^b Having sex standing up.

NONE OF THEM ARE TRUE - YOU CAN STILL GET PREGNANT.

You can ALSO get pregnant EVEN if:

^6^B■^0^b The woman does not have an orgasm.
^6^B■^0^b You are breast feeding.
^6^B■^0^b It is your first time.
^6^B■^0^b You are having a period.
slaw The Laws controlling when & who you can have sex with ...

^6It is against the law for a man to have sex with a girl under 16, (even if she
gives her  consent)^0. Despite this,  some girls an  their boyfriends choose  to
have  sex.  It  is  perfectly  legal  (as  well  as  sensible) for them to use
contraceptives. ^6In Scotland there is no law which prevents a girl from getting
contraceptive help to  protect her from the dangers  of an unwanted pregnancy,
as she can consent  to such medical treatment as soon as  she is old enough to
understand  the implications  (at 16,  everyone gets  the right  to consent to
medical treatment).^0

Although some  doctors won't give  contraceptives to girls  under 16, it  will
usually  be possible  for you  to get  contraceptive help  and advice  as most
doctors would prefer you  to be safe if they think you  are likely to have sex
anyway. The doctor will encourage you to talk to your parents, or may even ask
you for your  permission to tell your parents,

BUT NO DOCTOR SHOULD TELL YOUR PARENTS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.
Sour Pregnancy & Contraception - Sources of Help

The Brook Advisory Centre in Edinburgh caters especially for young people, and
girls  and their  partners can  arrange to  visit for  help and  advice on any
subject related to sexuality. Contact:

The Brook Advisory Centre: 50 Gilmore Place (Clinic)
                           Edinburgh EH3 9NY Tel: 031 229 3596
Other Addresses:

Scottish Council for Single Parents         Family Care
44 Albany Street, Edinburgh.                21 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Tel: 031 556 3888.                          Tel: 031 225 6441

Lifeline Pregnancy Care
9 Albany Street,  Edinburgh.
Tel: 031 557 2060 (other branches in Aberdeen and Inverness, see phone book).

Or, contact your nearest Social Work Department

Leaflets are available from both the Brook and from Family Planning Clinics on
all aspects of sex and contraception.
scont Contraceptives

The table  below gives a  ROUGH guide to  how reliable the  various methods of
contraception are. ^6For every 100 couples using^0:

^1@pill[!1^0. The pill] approx 1 had a baby
^1@coil[!2^0. The coil] approx 2 had babies
^1@condom[!3^0. Condoms (male & female)] approx 3 had babies using the male condom
^1@cap[!4^0. The Cap & Cream] approx 4 had babies
^1@foam[!5^0. Cream, Foam,or pessary] approx 13 had babies
^1@With[!6^0. Withdrawal] approx 17 had babies
^1@Rhythm[!7^0. Rhythm method] approx 34 had babies
NOTHING AT ALL approx 75 had babies

Contraception after  sex - If you  have had sex and  used no contraception, or
think  that  your  contraceptive  has  failed  and  you  do  not wish to become
pregnant, it is possible to prevent it.  You can do this by taking the "Morning
After Pill" that  you can get from your  doctor or a clinic. It  must be taken
within 72 hours of 'unprotected sex'.  Another possibility if you are too late
for this, is  that you can have a  coil fitted up to 5  days after unprotected
sex  and  still  avoid  pregnancy.  If  your  doctor  is unfamiliar with these
methods, contact a clinic.

^6IF YOU HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX YOU RISK INFECTION.^0
condom  The Condom

        The Male Condom  or Sheath (DUREX or MATES  also known as
        "rubbers").  Now  come  in  a  range  of  fun colours and
        flavours and can be  bought from chemists, slot machines,
        or obtained  free from Family Planning  Clinics. You have
        to  be  careful  to  use  them  properly, together with a
        contraceptive cream,  foams or jelly, but even alone they
        are fairly safe, and better than an unwanted pregnancy or
        risk of infection.

        Female condoms  were introduced in 1992.  They are coated
        with  a spermicidal  lubricant,  and  are designed  to be
        inserted  in the  vagina just  before sex  (^bthis isn't as
        easy  as it  might be,   so it's  best to  practice alone
        first^b)! They are not as  widely available as male condoms
        yet, and are more expensive, but should be available from
        Family Planning Clinics soon.

        Creams, Foams, Jellies or Pessaries  - These are not very
        reliable on  their own, but  make other methods  like the
        condom much safer.
foam Creams, Foams & Jellies

        Creams, Foams, Jellies or Pessaries  - These are not very
        reliable on  their own, but  make other methods  like the
        condom much safer.
Pill The  Pill

        The Pill - This is the  most effective and easiest to use
        method of contraception. However,  it is not suitable for
        all women,  and although there are  many types, there can
        be side  effects. So it's important to get  the doctor to
        examine you  as fully as possible  before prescribing the
        pill and to  go back again straight away  if you have any
        worrying side effects. Also  remember to tell your doctor
        that you are on the  pill before they prescribe any other
        medicine.
Coil The Coil

        The Coil  (I.U.D.) - This is  usually only prescribed for
        women  who have  already had  a pregnancy.  It is a small
        metal or plastic vice which is  fitted into the womb by a
        doctor.  Once fitted  it can't  be felt,  but it  must be
        checked regularly.
Cap The Cap

        The Cap (DIAPHRAGM) - This is  made of soft rubber and is
        inserted by the woman herself before sex. Every woman has
        to have her  cap fitted by a doctor to  ensure that it is
        the  correct size.  The cap  is only  reliable when it is
        used  with  one  of  the  contraceptive  creams, foams or
        jellies.

        Creams, Foams, Jellies or Pessaries  - These are not very
        reliable on  their own, but  make other methods  like the
        condom much safer.
Rhythm The Rhythm Method

        Rhythm  Method -  This involves  not having  sex on those
        days in  the month when a  woman is fertile. A  woman can
        tell  if  she  is  fertile  by  taking  daily temperature
        readings.

        THIS IS NOT A RELIABLE METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION.
with Withdrawal


        Withdrawal - This is the name for the method when the man
        removes his penis before ejaculating (coming).

        ^6This is NOT AT ALL RELIABLE AS A METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION.^0
plan Family Planning Clinics

        Contraceptive  help  and  advice  is  also available from
        'Family Planning' clinics - to  find the nearest one look
        in the phone book under Family Planning Service. If there
        is not a  special clinic, there may be  a family planning
        session  run once  or twice  a week  at your local health
        centre or at your local hospital.

        Some of these clinics may  run special sessions for young
        people -  ring first and  ask. (Their attitudes  to young
        people may  vary, so if  there's more than  one clinic in
        your area your friends might  be able to advise you about
        which one to go to).
preg Pregnancy

If  you think  you're pregnant,  you'll need  to talk  to somebody  as soon as
possible, ^bSO FIND OUT QUICKLY.^b

If  you don't  want to  continue the  pregnancy and  would like  to ask for an
abortion, you will need  to get help as quickly as possible.  If you are under
16,  the doctor  will only  accept your  concent to  medical treatment if they
think  that you  really understand   the issues  involved. For  further advice
contact the @sour[^1Brook Advisory Centre^0], in Edinburgh.

^6Pregnancy Testing Kits^0

Many chemists advertise pregnancy testing kits  which you can use at home, but,
THEY ARE NOT VERY  RELIABLE. Even if the result is negative,  you may still be
pregnant, (your period  must be at least 14 days  late before a pregnancy test
will give an accurate result).

It's best to go to the Brook, a  doctor or a Family Planning Clinic and check.
A clinic test can also  give an accurate result when your period  is 7 or more
days late.

adopt Keeping Your Child / Adoption or Abortion

^6An unmarried woman  has legal custody of her child^0,  although other people may
try to persuade her to have the child adopted or placed in care.

If you decide on  an ^6abortion^0 you should have it done  as soon as possible, it
is safer before  the 12th week, (this is counted  from the date of conception,
which is reckoned to  be the date of your last period).  Some doctors won't do
an  abortion after  the 12  week  (there  is certainly  very little  chance of
getting an abortion after the 20th week).  If you want an abortion you must be
ferred by  a Family Planning  Clinic (such as  the @sour[^1Brook Advisory  Centre^0]), or
your G.P.  (for an abortion  on the NHS).  You can go  straight to the British
Pregnancy Advisory service at: 245 North  Street Glasgow Tel: 041 204 1832 who
run private, non-profit making clinics.

Doctors  attitudes to  performing abortions  vary  so  you may  have to  'shop
around'.  It  is  also  very  helpful  to  discuss  your decision with someone
independent, outside your family and your doctor.

Note: If you  have had an abortion and  you want someone to talk  to about how
you feel, many of the groups mentioned, such as th Brook or Lifeline, do post-
abortion counselling.
sdis Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Also known  as V.D. (Venereal  Diseases). Most can  be treated easily,  but if
they're not, can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage. So, if you feel
any discomfort in  your sexual organs, especially pains  when urinating, sores
or any irritation, or get any unusual  discharge from your sexual organs GO TO
THE SPECIAL TREATMENT CLINIC AT YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL AT ONCE

Look it  up in the phone  book (under sexually transmitted  diseases), or ring
directory enquiries, the clinic has often got a separate number.

TREATMENT IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

See Also section on @aids[^1HIV/AIDS^0] for further information.
AIDS AIDS

There  have been  lots of  confusing stories  about the  risk og  getting AIDS
(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which is caused by a virus known as HIV
(Human  Immuno-Deficiency  Virus).

Fear about  the consequences of AIDS  has become so great  that often the real
facts get forgotton.

   ^1@facts[!1. ^0^bThe Facts^b]
   ^1@risk[!2. ^0^bWho's at Risk^b]
   ^1@psafe[!3. ^0^bPlaying Safe^b]
   ^1@Aidgay[!4. ^0^bAIDS & Gays^b]
   ^1@aidsadv[!5. ^0^bGetting Advice^b]
   ^1@gaycoun[!6  ^0^bLesbian & Gay Switchboards for Advice^b]
facts The Facts about AIDS

The virus  destroys some of  the white  blood  cells which make  up the bodies
immune system, so that those who have the virus become vulnerable to illnesses
which they would  normally be able to resist. Most  people who have the virus,
remain  healthy for  a long  time, but  eventually they  are likely  to become
seriously ill with AIDS related illnesses. They  are likely to die from one of
these illnesses which their bodies can no longer resist.

The  virus is  transmitted in  bodily fluids  such as  blood or semen, usually
during sexual contact, but it can also be passed in other ways such as between
drug users who share dirty needles.
risk Who's at Risk of AIDS

The AIDS virus  does not affect any particular group  of people, but those who
practice  'risky  behaviours'  such  as  injecting  drugs,  and  those  having
unprotected (especially anal), sex are more  likely to get the virus passed to
them, as  it is passed  from one person  to another in  bodily fluids such  as
blood, semen and vaginal fluid.

The activities which are most risky are:

        ■ sharing dirty needles to  inject drugs;
        ■ taking part in higher risk sexual practices such as oral or anal sex
          without condoms or dental dams;
        ■ or having unprotected casual sex with anyone.

Everyone needs to know the facts, and be careful, even if they don't do any of
these  tyhings   themself.  Remember,  the  disease   is  now  also  affecting
heterosexuals  (4  out  of  5  of   those  with  HIV  aged  15-19  are  female
heterosexuals).
psafe Playing Safe

        If you  want to avoid  infection during sex  always use a
        condom with a lubricant such  as a water-based jelly like
        KY (which  won't rot the  rubber). Everyone has  to think
        very carefully before having casual  sex, as you can't be
        sure whether your partner has  slept with anyone else who
        may have been infected.

        ^6PLay safe and protect yourself - Use a condom.^0

        YOU CANNOT CATCH AIDS FROM:

       ^6■^0 Sharing  cups        ^6■^0 Hugging or kissing
       ^6■^0 Toilet  seats        ^6■^0 Swimming baths
       ^6■^0 Towels

        ^6MASTURBATION IS QUITE SAFE.^0
aidgay AIDS & Gay Men

        Gay  men too,  should be  especially careful  about their
        partners,  and  should  avoid  any  activities which risk
        tearing the  skin - such  a anal sex.  If these can't  be
        avoided  YOU  SHOULD  ALWAYS  WEAR  A  CONDOM,  &  USE  A
        LUBRICANT.

        Lesbians should contact @aidsadv[^1SAM^0] for advice about safe sex.

aidsadv For  ^6Free^0 Advice on AIDS in Scotland:

 English   on:  0800 567 123 - 24 hours per day
 Bengali, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi & Urdu on:
                0800 282 445 - Wed 6pm - 10pm
 Cantonese on:  0800 282 446 - Tue 6pm - 10pm
 Arabic    on:  0800 282 447 - Wed 6pm - 10pm

 In Scotland: SAM Scottish AIDS Monitor   or SOLAS
              PO Box 48 Edinburgh            2-4 Abbeymount Edinburgh
              Tel: 031 557 3885              Tel: 031 661 0982
                                             Cafe/Info/Therapies - Open Daily

 Or any sexually transmitted disease clinic

The Brook has  a leaflet called "Love Carefully",  on protection against AIDS.
Get a copy by sending 18p and a self-addressed envelope to:

Brook Advisory Centres Education and Publications Unit
153 East Street, London SE17 2SD

Both the  Brook Centre and your  local Family Planning Clinic  will issue free
condoms and will give advice about AIDS.
GAYS Gay & Lesbian Rights

About one in ten  of the population are gay men or  women. Despite these large
numbers, sex between gay men is illegal unless both have reached the age of 21
and  they are  "in private".  In practice,  the number  of prosecutions is not
high,  but  homosexual  men  and  women  suffer  more  from discrimination and
persecution  than from  the law.  It appears  to be  legal for  women to  have
lesbian relationships, as there is no specific reference in the law to lesbian
sexual  relationships, although  they too  may be  charged with  indecency for
showing affection in public.

The  Stonewall  youth  project  in  Edinburgh  provides  a safe and supportive
environment for lesbian & gay teenagers.  The project meets on Friday evenings
in the  city centre. For  more information  contact  them on: 031  556 4040 or
write to Stonewall Po Box 169 Edinburgh.

Outright  Scotland runs  a lesbian,  gay &  bi-sexual community  centre at 58a
Broughton Street in Edinburgh, which holds meetings throughout the week. There
is a cafe in the upper part of the premises. The group also publish a magazine
called Gay  Scotland. For further  information contact Helen  Chambers or John
Wilkes.

        @gaycoun[^1Information & Counselling Lines^0]
gaycoun Information & Counselling Lines

Information & Counselling Lines offer  free confidential advice on all aspects
of sexuality.

Edinburgh Gay Switchboard:   031 556 4049 - Nightly from 7.30-10pm.
          Lesbian line:      031 557 0751 - Monday & Thursdays from 7.30-10pm.
          Bi-sexual line:    031 557 3620 - Thjursdays 7.30-9.30pm
Strathclyde Gay Switchboard: 041 221 8372 - Nightly 7-10pm
          Lesbian Line:      041 552 5768 - Wednesdays 7-10pm
Aberdeen                     0224 586869  - Wednesday 7-10 pm
Ayr                          0292 287227  - Wednesday 7-10.30pm
Borders                      0450 370700  - Mon/Wed/Fri 7.30-10pm
Central                      0786 71285   - Monday 7.30-10pm
Fife                         0592 266688  - Women - Monday 7.30-10.30pm
                                          - Men   - Friday 7.30-10.30pm
Perth                        0738 828840  - Women - Monday 7-10pm
                                          - Men   - Monday 7-10pm

London:  Lesbian and Gay Switchboard runs a 24 hour service on 071 837 7234.
HOUS Housing

In Scotland, you  can leave home at 16, with  or without your parents consent.
BUT, finding somewhere  to live, getting it furnished and  getting it paid for
can be very difficult. This is  especially true since the government abolished
the  grants  which  used  to  be  available  to  help  with things like buying
furniture. These are  now only paid as @sf[^1loans^0], (although  there are some grants
available for  those leaving care, etc).  So ^2think carefully before  you leave
home. In 1992 there were reckoned to be about 156,000 homeless young people in
Britain, who  were either having  to sleep rough  on the street  or move about
from  friend to  friend, sleeping  on the  floor. Some  young people have even
had to resort to begging or prostitution in order to survive.^0

^1@costs[!1. ^0^bThe Cost of Living Independently^b]
^1@Priv[!2. ^0^bPrivate Rented Housing^b]
^1@Sec[!3. ^0^bSecurity of Tenure^b]
^1@Coun[!4. ^0^bCouncil Housing & Hostels^b]
^1@RR[!5. ^0^bHelp with Rent - Housing Benefit^b]
^1@CT[!6. ^0^bThe Council Tax^b]
^1@Hmles[!7. ^0^bHomelessness^b]
^1@Cities[!8. ^0^bMoving to a City^b]
Costs The Costs of Living Independently

Living on your own is very expensive as you have to pay for the rent & council
tax (if you're  liable), gas, electric, food and laundry  (and have money left
over for clothes and spending money). Even  in a furnished flat you'll have to
provide your own  sheets, towels and quite a lot  of other furnishings. As the
Government think everyone  under 25 should still be living  at home with their
parents, people  under 25 are  paid a lower  rate of benefit.  Cuts in benefit
rates  and  the  withdrawl  of  grants  for  deposits  and furniture etc, have
therefore meant that it is now extremely difficult to afford to leave home and
live independently.
Priv Private rented flats and bedsits

It's now very  difficult to find a flat  or a bedsit that you'll  want to live
in. In many,  where the rooms are shared, there  isn't much protection against
@evic[^1eviction^0],  and often  such buildings  have  @oqes[^1locked  letter boxes^0]  so that  the
landlord can collect and cash your giro and give you back the change.

Even  this sort  of accommodation  has  been  more difficult  to get  and keep
because:

a) You cannot get @deps[^1deposits^0] or rent in advance.
b) District Councils  are often no longer able  to meet the full cost  of your
   rent. This is  because of rules which govern how  much Housing Benefit they
   can pay for particular sorts of rooms and flats.
c) Most long  stay @BL[^1Bed & Breafast^0] has  disappeared. If you are able  to find a
   place you'll  probably have no  cooking facilities, and,  as eating out  is
   much more expensive you may not be able to make ends meet.

                        @PT[^1Private Tenants Rights^0].
Deps Deposits

Despite the  fact that help with  deposits is no longer  available through the
benefit system, you may still asked to pay a deposit to cover your landlord in
case of damage,  loss, or in case you leave  without paying your bills. Before
paying a deposit  MAKE SURE YOU GET AN INVENTORY  (a list of everything that's
supposed to be there), and CHECK IT,  so that you can't be accused of pinching
or breaking anything that was never there. Make sure you get a receipt for the
rent  you pay  too, so  you have  proof of  the amount  you have paid. This is
important. Because many  people have difficulty getting their  money back, and
then have difficulty moving to another place.

Remember: Always get a rent book or receipts for your rent and any deposit you
pay, so you can't be accused of rent arrears.
Sec Security of Tenure

This  means that  you can't  be thrown  out unless  the Landlord  takes you to
court, and  he'll have to  have a good  reason for wanting  you out. You  will
probably have security of tenure unless

a) your landlord  lives in the house (but  he or she will still  have to go to
   court to get you out)
b) you share a room
c) your landlord charges you for any food or services

If your landlord tells you to leave GET ADVICE

REMEMBER - ALWAYS  GET A RENT BOOK OR  RECEIPTS FOR YOUR RENT AND  ANY DEPOSIT
YOU PAY, SO YOU CANT BE ACCUSED OF RENT ARREARS.
Coun Council Housing & Hostels, etc

Most councils have  now converted some of their houses  into shared housing or
single rooms  which are suitable for  young people. Since the  Benefits Agency
stopped  giving  help  with  furniture,  more  councils  now  offer  furnished
tenancies. Councils are  obliged to let you put your  name on the waiting list
for housing as soon as you're 16, but unless you're homeless you'll only get a
tenancy  once you've  got enough  priority. This  is worked  out by looking at
things  like  how  long  you've  lived  in  the  area,  whether  your  present
accommodation is  overcrowded, and whether  you have any  health problems etc.
Many authorities use a points system, and the law says the council must inform
you about how many points you need, and how many you have.
RR Help with Paying Your Rent - Housing Benefit

Help with housing costs is the responsibility of the District Council. Ask for
the Housing Benefit Section and you should always get through.

Those  on Income  Support are  paid  their  full rent,  (unless their  rent is
restricted  by  the  rent  stop  because  the  rent  is  too  expensive or the
accommodation too large etc). Housing Benefit is not be paid automatically, so
you must  remember to return your  claim form, to the  Benefits Agency so that
they can  tell the District  Council that  you  are on Income  Support. If you
don't  get Income  Support you  will get  help with  all or  part of the rent,
depending on whether  you have any income. Those  in council accommodation are
charged a reduced rent  or no rent at all. Others will  be sent a giro cheque.
Rebates are paid fortnightly or monthly, unless you ask to be paid weekly. You
will be told in  writing about how much you will be paid.  You have a right to
ask for a more detailed explanation or  a review if you're not happy with what
you get. If you have @ND[^1someone living with you^0] you may have to charge them rent.

Housing benefit for 16/17 yr olds living independently is based on the over 18
year old  benefit rate. This means  that those on YT  will not have to  pay so
much towards their rent.

Joint tenancies  - You will  only get a  rebate on YOUR  SHARE of the  housing
costs.
ND Charges for Non Dependants

The term used  to cover people who stay with  someone who gets Housing Benefit
to  help with  their housing  costs is  non-dependants. The  person on Housing
Benefit will have their benefit REDUCED,  if someone is staying with them, and
will have to charge the person who  stays with them rent. This will also apply
to you if you stay with your parents.
BL Board and Breakfast

Claimants  in  bed  &  breakfast  accommodation  have  their  rent paid by the
District  Council through  the Housing  Benefit system  (excluding charges for
meals & fuel).  Although the amount paid may be  resricted if the Rent Officer
thinks the rent is too high. They will also receive normal income support from
the Benefits Agency, to cover food and their other living expenses.
CT The Council Tax

The Poll Tax which was introduced in 1989 was replaced by a new tax called the
Council Tax in April 1993. The new tax consists of two elements. Half is based
on the capital value of the property  (there are eight value bands). The other
half is a personal tax.

The  tax is  charged against  properties, but  some properties,  such as those
which  are ONLY  occupied by  students  are  exempt. Only  people over  18 are
liable, and some people may be eligible  for a discount. The first level of at
25% covers people  living in properties which are only  occupied by one person
or  where all  but one   are disregarded.  Those disregarded  include students
(including student  nurses and YT  trainees), prisoners, those  in care or  in
hospital, those who are severely mentally impaired and school leavers. The 50%
discount applies if  ALL of the residents are disregarded,  or if the property
is empty. ^6Note: students should be  careful, if a non-student moves into their
property they will  immediately become liable for 75% of  the tax (because the
property is now classed as being occupied by one one person who can only claim
a 25%  discount)^0. Those  living in  rented shared  accommodation will probably
have to pay  their share of the council  tax along with their rent.  The rules
are extremely complex, so the best thing to do is to get advice. Those who are
liable may also be entitled to a @CTR[^1rebate^0].
CTR Council Tax Rebates

Under the old Poll  Tax system everyone had to pay at  least 20% of their Poll
Tax. Under the new  Council Tax those on benefit or low  incomes, will be able
to claim up to 100% of the tax. However, the method of working out rebates for
those who  have to paybecause  they have  an  income above the  level of their
assumed needs (which are based on income support levels), are not as generous,
so more people will get less.
EVIC Eviction

How easily you can be evicted from  your accommodation depends on what sort of
tenancy  you have.  Council house  tenants all  have security  of tenure which
means that  the council would  always have to  go to court  in order to  evict
them. The council would first have to  send you a 'notice' which will give you
the  reasons why  they intend  going to  court to  'recover possession'.  This
notice which is only  valid for 6 months is followed by  a summons which gives
14 days  notice of when  the court hearing  will be. The  court will order  an
eviction (where reasonable) for:

■ Rent arrears - If you've  not kept to an agreement to pay.
■ Using the house for immoral purposes.
■ Causing damage to the property.
■ Causing a nuisance.

If you are told that you are to be evicted - DON'T LEAVE - get advice.

        @Priv[^1Private Tenancies^0]        @PT[^1Private Tenants Rights^0]
PT Private tenants

Changes in  the laws governing  private sector housing  rights have left  some
people protected by the  old rules and others on a new  system in which people
have lost some of their rights.  Most young people now have tenancies governed
by the less favourable new rules.

Tenancies  are now  either 'assured'  or 'short  assured' tenancies,  and most
tenants now have less rights. The landlords of assured tenants will still have
to go  to court before evicting  their tenants. In some  cases the court would
automatically give  them permission to  evict, but in  others the court  would
only give permission if they think that it is reasonable. For example - if you
made  an arrangement  to pay  extra towards  rent arrears  the court would not
normally give permission to  evict you (but if you agree to  pay more than you
can  afford it  will look  worse if  you don't  keep up  with your  payments).
Tenants have also  lost the right to have  fair rent set by the  rent officer,
who now  looks at 'market' rents.  Short assured tenancies are  for at least 6
months. If  the landlord wants  the tenancy to  end after 6  months they would
have  to give  you a  proper 'notice   to quit'  before the  6 months  are up.
Otherwise the tenancy would continue for another 6 months.

If you have any problems - get advice.          @oqes[^1Landlords Duties etc^0]
Oqes Other questions for Tenants & Landlords

^bLandlords duties^b

When  you rent  a room  or flat  you enter  into a  contract with the landlord
(regardless of whether  you have it writing). In law,  the landlord has duties
such as  keeping the property in  good repair. There are  also rules governing
how much  can be charged  in gas and  electric meters etc,  but you'll find it
very hard to get anything done about these things withou help, so GET ADVICE.

^bLocked letter boxes^b

It is an offence  for anyone but you to open your  mail. If you live somewhere
where the mail  gets opened and you get  handed the change from your  giro you
can report it to the police or the Benefits Agency, as this is illegal.
HMLES Homelessness

In some cases the  council may have a duty to house you,  but only if you have
been thrown  out, NOT if  you decided to  leave home of  your own accord. EVEN
THEN,  they only  have a  duty to   house those  who are  classed as  being in
PRIORITY  NEED, this  includes tho  who  are  pregnant or  have children,  the
chronically  sick or  disabled, and  those  who  may otherwise  be at  risk of
financial or sexual exploitation, (this  usually means young people). There is
usually very little help for single  males. Some councils have agreed to treat
other situations as priority need too,  so check. You should, however, contact
the Homeless Section of the councils Housing Department, and if you're refused
help, GET ADVICE.

^bWhat can you claim?^b

If you  are homeless the Benefits  Agency will pay you  the normal age related
rate  (those aged  16/17 get  the over   18 rate),  but you  will not  get any
additions for  children or any premiums,  and the Benefits Agency  may want to
make you sign on daily.

The law also allows the Benefits Agency to pay you in any manner they see fit,
e.g. by voucher or directly to  the lodgings. But, the personal allowance must
always be paid directly to the claimant.
Cities Moving to a City

Often young  people who are  unhappy at home  think that moving  to a big city
will be exciting, and will help them find a job and new friends.

THINK FIRST - Unless you have friends or relatives to stay with, YOU WILL NEED
A LOT  OF MONEY.  Many landlords  will expect  as much  as 2  months rent as a
deposit  (which  is  no  longer  available  even  as  a loan from the Benefits
Agency), and as much again as rent  in advance. The gas and electric companies
may also want a large deposit before making any connection because they are so
used to people leaving without paying their bills. On top of things like rent,
gas and  electric, you'll have to  pay for food, laundry,  necessities (soap &
shampoo etc.),  clothes, fares and  entertainments. Try to  work out how  much
you'd need each week before you leave home.

The Benefits Agency may not pay  you without some means of identification such
as a birth certificate.

You  may also  have to  try very  hard to  get a  job (people  queue all night
outside the  West End Job  Centre for casual  labour). For most  jobs you will
need good written references.

^b^6THINK FIRST^b^0                                     @uadd[^1Useful addresses^0]
RACE Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination has  been illegal since the Race  Relations Act of 1976.
The Act covers any discrimination which happens in relation to jobs, training,
housing,  education or  services (from  councils, pubs,  clubs, disco's and so
on).  It makes  it illegal  to discriminate  against anyone  because of  race,
colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.  The Act also makes it illegal
for anyone  to be victimised because  they have brought a  complaint under the
Act.

^1@DDis[!1^0. ^bDirect & indirect discrimination^b]
^1@BOOK[!2^0. ^bThe CRE / Radio One Book "Race in the 90's"^b]
^1@act[!3^0. ^bTaking Action^b]
^1@raceoth[!4^0. ^bOther Forms of Discrimination^b]
^1@CRE[!5^0. ^bThe Commision  for Racial Equality^b]
^1@blkadd[!6^0. ^bUsefull Addresses^b]

DDis Direct & indirect discrimination

The  law recognises  two sorts  of discrimination.

^2Direct^0 discrimination, is  where one person clearly treats  another person, or
group of persons less favourably on racial grounds.

^2Indirect  discrimination^0  is  where  the  discrimination  is less obvious, but
usually affects a whole group. In fact, it affects far more blacks. An example
might ber an employer who would not  allow women to wear trousers - this would
mean that  some Asian women  whose religion requires  them to keep  their legs
covered,  would not  be able  to get  jobs. This  sort of  discrimination also
happens because  no one makes  sure it won't.  So at school,  Black, Asian and
Chinese children  may have to  work much harder  to succeed because  they come
from a different cultural background where  they may not speak English at home
etc.  Things that  may on  the face  of it  seem equal,  will leave  them at a
disadvantage.
book The CRE & Radio One booklet

The Commission for Racial Equality and  Radio One recently published a booklet
about what life is like in Britain  for people from minority ethnic groups who
make up 1 in every 20 of Britains population. The booklet starts by telling us
that over half of these people were born in Britain, and nearly three quarters
are British Citizens.

The  booklet  contains  some  worrying  facts  about  racial discrimination in
Britain today. Whilst many white  people still don't think that discrimination
is  a real  problem in  Britain,  in  reality, West  Indians, Pakistanis,  and
Bangladeshis are nearly ^6seven times^0 more likely to suffer problems like living
in  overcrowded housing.  People from   minority ethnic  groups are  also more
likely to be asked to show their passport before being able to make claims for
benefit etc.

The  only way  for people  from minority  ethnic groups  to tackle rascism and
discrimination  is  by   refusing  to  accept  it,  by   challenging  it  both
individually and together  with others. Suppoort each other-  don't let anyone
tell you that you can't or shouldn't try  to do what you really want to do. It
may not be easy but keep trying for what you want.
ACT Taking Action about Racism

If you feel you've been discriminated against  you will need to go to a Racial
Equality Coucil  or Community Relations  Council, an advice  centre, or lawyer
for advice about how  to take action. Although not all cases  have to be taken
to court, you will need a lot of help as the law is very complicated.

^bDiscrimination at work^b

If you want to complain about discrimination at work or during selection for a
job or training place, you will need to go to an industrial tribunal. Although
this is meant to  be an informal process, it is in  fact very complex, and you
won't get Legal  Aid to pay for a  lawyer to help you (although  the employers
side are bound to have a lawyer). So you'll need to get advice quickly from an
advice centre,  a Racial Equality  Council or from  the Commission for  Racial
Equality. You can get an industrial tribunal  form from any of these places or
from a job centre (you must complain within three months).

You could also contact:

The Race Relations Employment Advisory Service
2nd Floor, Washington House, New Bailey Street.
Manchester M3 5ER Tel: 061 837 7114
raceoth Other Forms of Discrimination

^bIncitement to Racial Hatred^b

It is also an  offence, under the Race Relations Act for  anyone to publish or
distribute written matter, or use in any  public place or at a public meeting,
language which is:

a) threatening, abusive or insulting; and
b) likely in  the circumstances to stir up hatred  against any
   racial group in Great Britain.

For complaints about other forms of  discrimination apply to the Sheriff Court
for a summons and send details of your complaint to:

                Commision for Racial Equality
                100 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 3AA
                Tel: 031 226 5186

^2Get  Advice from  your local  Racial Equality  Council, Commission  for Racial
Equality, CAB, advice  centre or a solicitor, before  reporting your complaint
to the police or taking further action,  (you could be eligible for help under
the Legal Aid scheme).^0
CRE The Commision  for Racial Equality

You  can use  the Commision  for Racial  Equality in  Edinburgh, or any Racial
Equality, or  Community Relations Council as  an initial source of  advice and
information.  They  will  also  offer  support  to individuals with complaints
relating to  discrimination and harassment  at work or  in training etc.  They
will also  have information on a  wide range of local  services and activities
such as translating services.

For further information get a copy of the booklet "Race in the 90's" which was
produced for the CRE and Radio 1. You can get a copy from the CRE in Edinburgh
blkadd useful Addresses

Commission for Racial Equality         UK Immigrants Advisory Service
100 Princes Street                     115 Wellington Street (2nd Floor)
Edinburgh                              Glasgow
Tel: 031 226 5186                      Tel: 041 248 2956

Racial Equality Councils aim to challenge racial discrimination and make equal
opportunities a reality - get involved, and help to make it work.

Lothian Racial Equality Council       Strathclyde Community Relations Council
12a Forth Street                      115  Wellington Street
Edinburgh EH1 3LH                     Glasgow
Tel. 031 556 0441                     Tel. 041 227 3764

Tayside Community Relations Council   Central Scotland Racial Equality Council
20 Paterson Street                    Cape Unicentre, Kerse Road
Dundee                                Stirling
Tel: 0382 818806                      Tel: 0786 450025

Grampian Racial Equality COuncil      OSPREY (Deals  with Overseas Students)
9a Little Belmont Street              Old Broughton Primary School
Aberdeen                              Broughton Road, Edinburgh
Tel: 0224 625895                      Tel: 031 447
more More useful Addresses

Roundabout International  Centre
4b Gayfield  Place
Edinburgh EH7
Tel: 031 556 1168

Ethnic Minorities Law Centre
41 St Vincent Place
Glasgow
Tel: 041 204 2888
(Primarily for the people of Glasgow)


Race Relations Employment Advisory Service
2nd Floor
Washington House
New Bailey Street
Manchester
M3 5ER
Tel: 061 837 7114
Drink Drink Drugs & Sniffing Things  (Full Details on Facts Page)

There are a wide range of drugs  which people use for pleasure. Some are legal
like  tobacco  and  alcohol  (although  this  doesn't  mean  that  they're not
harmful). Some  are illegal, like  ecstasy, cannabis and  cocaine. Despite all
the horror stories  in the papers about 'hard' drug  use, the amount of damage
caused  by illegal  drugs is  relatively small  in comparison  to the problems
caused by  legal drugs like tobacco  and alcohol. There are  risks attached to
using any drug.  Despite the risks, an increasing number  of people still want
to experiment. This may be partly due to the fact that at times of poverty and
unemployment, the escape offered by drug taking becomes more attractive.

Most  people who  use drugs  are introduced  to drug  taking by their friends.
Don't be talked into taking or  doing something because someone says "everyone
else  does", especially  if you're  not  sure  what the  effects may  be. It's
important to  check out the  facts for yourself,  and make your  own decision.

          @fct[^1Full Facts Menu - Click Here for FULL Details^0]

It's always  possible to find someone  who's taken something and  not suffered
any  bad effects,  or become  addicted, (probably  about as  many as there are
people who  can give up  smoking whenever they  want, or have  unprotected sex
without the girl getting pregnant). It's like a game of Russian roulette!
fct The Facts about taking Drugs

Anything you take,  whether you drink, sniff, smoke or  even inject it, has an
effect on  your body. Exactly how  it affects you depends  on things like your
age, sex, weight and  the mood you were in when you took  it, how you took it,
what it was mixed with and what you  took it with. Using more than one drug at
once (for example  glue and alcohol), changes the  effect drastically, and can
be very dangerous. Mixing drink with anything is risky.

Here are some of the important terms  that are used to describe the effects of
drugs:

                                           ^1@od[!H. ^0^bOther Drugs in Detail^b]
        ^1@add[!A. ^0^bAddiction^b]                       ^1@amp[!I. ^0^bAmphetamines & Ecstasy^b]
        ^1@inj[!B. ^0^bInjecting^b]                       ^1@lsd[!J. ^0^bLSD - Acid^b]
        ^1@drk[!C. ^0^bTobacco & Alcohol^b]               ^1@tra[!K. ^0^bTranquilisers^b]
        ^1@snf[!D. ^0^bSniffing^b]                        ^1@her[!L. ^0^bHeroin^b]
        ^1@drpo[!E. ^0^bDrugs & the Police^b]              ^1@coc[!M. ^0^bCocaine^b]
        ^1@dhelp[!F. ^0^bGetting Help^b]                    ^1@dbar[!N. ^0^bBarbiturates^b]
        ^1@osa[!G. ^0^bHelp & Support Agencies^b]         ^1@can[!O. ^0^bCannabis^b]
                                           ^1@mag[!P. ^0^bMagic Mushrooms^b]
                                           ^1@dpre[!Q. ^0^bPrescribed Drugs^b]

Add Addiction

This is  when someone can't feel  'normal' unless they take  a particular drug
all the time. When they dont take  the drug they get ^6Withdrawal Symptoms^0. This
These are  the pains and sickness  someone feels when they  can't get the drug
they're  addicted to.  It's different  for each  drug but  it can  mean either
physical or psychological effects, such  as having really bad headaches, being
sick  all  the  time,  getting  uncontrollable  shakes,  imagining you can see
horrible  things that  arent really  there, (hallucinations),  or even  death.
Finally, the amount  of a drug that's too  large to be taken safely  (which is
different for each person because everyone's  body is different), is called an
overdose.
Inj Injecting

Using needles to inject drugs  significantly increases the risk, especially if
people  share  needles  or  re-use  old  needles.  One  of the main risks from
injecting is the risk of catching  HIV from using dirty needles ('works'), but
there are also other infections which users might catch. It is for this reason
that needle exchanges have  been set up in many areas to  ensure that at least
drug users are protected from these  risks. Another very dangerous practice is
melting down and injecting prescribed drugs  that come as gel in capsules such
as Temazepam.  This is particularly  dangerous as the  gel ususally solidifies
again,  and may  block your  veins or  arteries. This  has resulted  in people
having to have their limbs amputated.
DRK Tobacco & Alcohol

^bTobacco^b

Over 100,000 people die each year in the UK from tobacco related diseases, and
Scotland has the  highest rate of heart disease and  lung cancer in the world.
Smoking is  therefore more of a  problem than any other  drugs because about a
third of teenagers  (more girls than boys), smoke. Babies  born to mothers who
smoke are likely to weigh less, and are therefore more at risk of ill health.

^bAlcohol^b

Many young people think that drink is only a problem for older people. This is
not true. Most  drinkers are in fact young  men between 18 and 24.  Many young
people  find themselves  in trouble,  having accidents  or losing friends just
because they drink too much, or too often. Damaging your body with alcohol may
take some time,  but drinking large amounts regularly  (4 to 5 pints a  day or
more), will end up  doing just that. Dont forget, a pint  of beer is as strong
as a double whisky. The maximum safe drinking level is reckoned to be 21 units
of alcohol for men,  and 14 for women (one unit of alcohol  is equal to half a
pint of beer, a glass of wine or a single measure of spirits).
SNF Sniffing

Although glue is the most common thing sniffed, almost anything that gives off
fumes has  probably been sniffed by  somebody, but, some things  like aerosols
and  gases are  particularly dangerous.  This is  especially true  if they are
sprayed into your  mouth, which can numb the muscles  in your throat/lungs and
make it impossible  for you to breathe. It's also  important to pick dangerous
places to  sniff such as: roof  tops, railway bridges, canal  banks, balconies
etc, because obviously  if you're buzzed you're more likely  to trip and fall,
and you could  drown or seriously injure yourself. Another  big danger is what
you do while you're buzzed/high, because like drinking, it's not usually being
drunk that will kill you, it's  doing things like driving whilst you're drunk.
This is particularly true with volatile  substances or drugs that may make you
feel confident  and powerful, you may  try things that are  impossible, rather
that dangerous,  (like people on 'trips'  who think that they  can step out of
high windows). As well as this you may  just do daft things which will get you
into bother with the police.

Ordinary  glues are  certainly a  lot less  dangerous than  aerosols, cleaning
fluids, or  petrol, but only  as long as  they're not mixed  with other things
like alcohol. It's still possible to sniff too much, too quickly, and pass out
or choke,  so its best  never to be  alone. Don't forget:  If you're under 16,
sniffing glue  or solvents is  one of the  reasons why you  might be called to
attend a Children's Hearing System.
OD Other Drugs

There are  a number of  other drugs  which  get used, some  have been obtained
legally  from  the  doctor  and  then  sold  to  other  people (barbiturates &
amphetamines), but  some are completely  illegal and have  either been stolen,
brought in from abroad, or made up from scratch.

With  most drugs  you develop  a tolerance   (you need  more to  get the  same
effect), but some drugs are more addictive than others. Most people that start
to use drugs  think that despite the stories they've  heard about other people
getting addicted,  that it won't happen  to them , -  ^6it usually does^0. Usually
people  find  they  need  regular  'fixes'  very  soon,  or  they start to get
withdrawal symptoms (pains, cramps, hallucinations).

Different drugs have different effects and different withdrawal symptoms, here
is a short list:

╔══════════════╦═══════════════╦═════════╦══════════════╦══════════════════╗
║ @amp[^1Amphetamines^0] ║ @lsd[^1LSD - Acid^0]    ║ @her[^1Heroin^0]  ║ @dbar[^1Barbiturates^0] ║ @mag[^1Magic Mushrooms^0]  ║
║ (Ecstasy)    ╠═══════════════╬═════════╬══════════════╬══════════════════╣
║              ║ @tra[^1Tranquilisers^0] ║ @coc[^1Cocaine^0] ║ @can[^1Cannabis^0]     ║ @dpre[^1Prescribed Drugs^0] ║
╚══════════════╩═══════════════╩═════════╩══════════════╩══════════════════╝
Amp Amphetamines (Speed).

There  are a  number of  different types,   but they  all have  the effect  of
speeding up all  the body's reactions and making the  user wide awake and very
confident. Users don't  need sleep, and hardly any food.  If they go on using,
they may start  to get hallucinations (like waking  dreams/nightmares), and to
think everyone is getting  at them. If they try to stop,  they get nervous and
depressed.

Ecstasy - E, Adam, XTC. Ecstasy is an amphetamine which was originally used as
a slimming drug. It  therefore reduces the appetite of those  using it. ^6It was
banned and been  made a class A drug  in the seventies (7 years  in prison for
possession  or life  for dealing,  plus unlimited  fines)^0. It  has a generally
relaxing effect on those who use it, but causes dehydration (so you'll need to
drink a  lot). At higher doses  it may produce hallucinations,  and make users
feel anxious, confused, and have difficulty  sleeping. It can also inhibit the
immune system  making users more  liable to infection,  and may in  some cases
affect blood clotting.
lsd LSD - Acid

Acid  was  first  made  in  Switzerland  in  1938,  but  it is very similar to
psychedelic drugs which have been used  for 'tripping' for thousands of years.
One LSD  trip can weigh  as little  as  25 micrograms (a  postage stamp weighs
about 60,000  microgram), most come  on small squares  of paper and  can weigh
between 25  and 400 micrograms,  as measuring out  such a small  amount is not
easy (but  these are safer  than tablets or  capsules which can  contain other
things). A dose of  about 75 micrograms will last about 8  hours with the user
becoming  intensely aware  of sounds  and colours  etc. Larger  doses may make
users  see  things  which  don't  exist  (hallucinations),  which  can be very
frightening. When the drug wears off, users may feel depressed and anxious for
a couple of days.
Tra Tranquilisers

These include Valium & Librium etc.

They are addictive,  and unlike @dbar[^1barbiturates^0] and @amp[^1amphetamines^0]  you don't build
up a tolerance so you can overdose on  the same amount, whether or not you are
addicted.  People who  take an  overdose may   go into  a coma,  so it's  very
important to get them straight to hospital, and like barbiturates:

                           ^bDON'T GIVE THEM COFFEE.^b
dbar Barbiturates

Barbiturates - Sleeping  tablets - 'Downers'.

^6These are  extremely addictive, and  it's extremely easy  to take an  overdose
especially if mixed with alcohol or other drugs.^0 Barbiturates tend to dull the
senses (a bit like alcohol).

The effects are  much stronger when they are mixed  with alcohol, as both slow
your body down.  ^6In some cases they may  slow the heart and breathing  down so
much that you could pass out, or  your heart could stop^0. When people don't get
the drug they get anxious, shaky, may  have fits or see horrible visions (like
the DT's alcoholics get).

^bIf you  think someone has  taken an overdose  ^6don't give them  coffee^0, it only
speeds up the effects, get them to hospital.^b

It is dangerous for  addicts to stop using it (kick the  habit) unless under a
doctor's care.
her Heroin - Junk - Smack

Heroin comes from the opium poppy,  and it's extremely addictive. It's usually
a white powder and  it's usually injected which means  that users risk getting
infected from dirty needles.

Everything to do  with drugs like heroin is  dangerous. Firstly, those selling
it have  usually added other  things, (cut  it),  to make it  go further. This
makes it more dangerous, and all the more likely that you'll take an overdose,
as you don't know how strong it is.

If an addict doesn't  get a regular supply or tries to  'kick the habit', they
get  terrible stomach  cramps, constant  sickness, diarrhoea  etc. This is why
addicts usually have to go into hospital if they want to stop.

Its very easy to  get addicted to heroin, and once addicted  you need more and
more  just to  feel normal.  Heroin is  extremely expensive  which is why most
addicts end up stealing, or selling heroin  to other people at a profit to pay
for their own habit.
Coc Cocaine - Crack

Cocaine -  Coke, Crack. Usually a  white powder or granules  (freebase), which
make the user feel alert and confident  etc. The effect doesn't last long, and
it's extremely expensive.

Side  effects can  include loss  of appetite,  buzzing in  the ears, cold like
symptoms, diarrhoea and exhaustion.

It's usually sniffed but the latest fashion is to smoke it (Crack).

Withdrawal symptoms include headaches depression and anxiety.
can Cannabis - Dope - Marijuana.

Cannabis comes from the leaves or the resin of the Cannabis plant.

It's usually  smoked like a  cigarette - called  a joint, but  it can also  be
eaten. There is still widespread discussion  about how addictive or harmful it
is, but  at the present  time it's illegal  and there doesn't  seem to be  any
likelihood of it being made legal.

Cannabis produces relaxed effects sometimes coupled with hallucinations.
mag Magic Mushrooms

Magic  Mushrooms   contain  a  chemical   which  gives  the   user  dreams  or
hallucinations - a bit like glue.

They are very  dependent on the mood that  the user was in when  they took the
mushrooms, (usually  swallowed or taken  in tea). It  can be easy  to take too
many and users often get flashbacks to previous bad experiences.

SOME MUSHROOMS ARE HIGHLY POISONOUS SO USERS MUST BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.

Any  drugs  that  have  hallucinogenic  effects  like  Cannabis,  Solvents  or
Mushrooms  may  make  the  user  feel  able  to  do things which are extremely
dangerous or impossible.

DRUGS  SOLD ON  THE STREET  HAVE OFTEN  HAD OTHER  THINGS ADDED  WHICH MAY  BE
POISONOUS.
dpre Prescribed Drugs

As was  stated above, it  can be just  as dangerous to  misuse drugs that  are
usually  only available  on prescription  like  those  that come  as a  gel in
capsules.  Another  danger  is  that  the  drugs  often  contain  a mixture of
substances, some of which, like paracetemol, can be extremely harmful if taken
in large doses.
Drpo Drugs and the Police

To possess barbiturates, amphetamines, or tranquillisers legally you require a
doctors prescription.

Possession of either  these drugs without a prescription  or cannabis, heroin,
cocaine etc,  is an offence, however  small the amount. If  you say you didn't
know you had it, it will be up to you to prove that you're innocent.

It is  also an offence  to produce or  supply any drug  (this includes growing
your own cannabis).

It  is also  an offence  to allow  your premises  to be  used for  the use  of
cannabis or any other drug.

The police can stop and arrest or search anyone under the drug laws, or search
any vehicle. They  can arrest anyone who they think  may abscond (run off), or
anyone whose name and address they can't find out (or don't believe). They can
also @detain[^1detain^0] you for up to six hours.

Check the section on the @polis[^1police^0]            @foot[^1Football & Rugby Matches^0]

foot Drinking and Football & Rugby Matches

It is now an offence at either football or rugby matches to:

1) Be drunk at the ground or have drink with you.

2) To try to get into the match drunk, or carrying drink, (you can be searched
   for drink  before the match).

3) To  take a container  into the ground  that might injure  someone if it was
   thrown.

4) To be drunk or have drink on a coach or train going to the match.

Dhelp Getting Help

Whatever drug you use,  there are a number of places that  you can get help if
you want to, but you must decide first that you really want help.

If you are worried about your use of drink or drugs of any sort, you should be
able to go to  a doctor without being worried about the  police. The doctor is
duty bound to keep everything you  tell him/her confidential. They will anyway
be more concerned with helping you than getting you into trouble.

Phonelines:

National FREEPHONE Drugs Helpline                 Tel: 0800 776600
Narcotics Anonymous Helpline                      Tel: 071 351 6794
Drugs & Alcohol Care Centre Kessock St Inverness  Tel: 0463 220520

The Scottish Drugs Forum has a list of support agencies & needle exchanges:

Scottish Drugs Forum 40 Shandwick Place Edinburgh Tel: 031 220 2584
Scottish Drugs Forum 84 Commercial Street Dundee  Tel: 0382 201016
Scottish Drugs Forum 5 Oswald Street Glasgow      Tel: 041 221 1175

osa Other Support Agencies:

Falkirk Drugs Project      Cameron House          West Fife Support Group
3-5 Chapel Lane            1 Nithbank             92 Pittencrieff Street
Falkirk                    Dumfries               Dunfermline
Tel: 0324 612627           Tel: 0387 41844        Tel: 0383 723613

Aberdeen Drugs Action      Leith Drugs Project    W Lothian Drug/Alc Project
8a Gaelic Lane             3 Smiths Place         99 Rowan Street
Aberdeen                   Edinburgh              Blackburn
Tel: 0224 624555           Tel: 031 554 7516      Tel: 0506 634898

NEDAC, Unit 15             Bridges Project        Calton Athletic Group
Muirhouse Centre           17 River Street        417 London Road
Edinburgh                  Ayr                    Glasgow
Tel: 031 332 2314          Tel: 0292 287777       Tel: 041 554 6819

Drop-in Centre             Possil Drug Project    Castlemilk Project
85 Bank Street             101 Denmark Street     9/11 Ballantay Quadrant
Alexandria                 Glasgow                Glasgow
Tel: 0389 51343            Tel: 041 336 3365      Tel: 041 634 0771

                        @modr[^1More Help & Support Agencies^0]
modr More Help & Support Agencies
East End Initiative                     Drumchapel Addict Service
170 Stamford Street                     234 Kinfauns Drive
Glasgow                                 Glasgow
Tel: 041 556 7131                       Tel: 041 944 4242

For leaflets & training materials etc.

Fast Forward Positive Lifestyles        Release
24a Annandale Street                    388 Old Street
Edinburgh                               London
Tel: 031 556 3009                       Tel: 071 729 5255
LEIS Leisure & Recreation

There are many things which you may be able to get into either cheap or free of
charge,  especially if  you're unemployed  and can  how your  UB40. ALWAYS ASK
BEFORE  YOU  PAY.  These  may  include  sports  centres, swimming pools, golf,
tennis, bowls, putting,  art galleries, muse s etc. There  may also be cheaper
prices at quiet times  of the day, as there are in  many cinemas and theatres.
Again, ask before you pay the full price. One of the most valuable schemes for
those under 26 is run by  the Scottish Community Education Council who publish
"Young Scot".  The "Young Scot"  card entitles holders  to discount at  a wide
range of  shops, leisure facilities and  on Citylink buses etc.  It also gives
young people access to special services like free legal advice.

For more information contact:

Scottish Community Education Council (Young Scot)
90 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh
Tel: 031 313 2488                       ^1@cheap[!1. ^0^bMore Cheap Deals^b]
                                        ^1@vol[!2. ^0^bVoluntary Work^b]
                                        ^1@Avol[!3. ^0^bVoluntary Work Abroad^b]
cheap  More Cheap Leisure Deals

For more  information about what's  going on  in  your area try  asking at the
following  places:

■ Local Community Centres
■ District Council Recreation Department
■ Citizens Advice Bureau
■ The Local Library

LOOK UP THE ADDRESSES & PHONE NUMBERS IN THE PHONE BOOK.

Other ways to  get things 'on the cheap'  include: joining a club, going  as a
group, (you'll  often get cheap  rates), or  going  to a day  or evening class
where you'll get to use the equipment as well as getting tuition.  Contact:

Scottish Sports Council 1 St Colme Street Edinburgh Tel: 031 225 8411
Scottish Arts Council 19 Charlotte Square Edinburgh Tel: 031 226 6051

These organisations have leaflets on a  wide range of subjects which they will
send you if you phone or write  to ask. For other national organisations which
may  be  able  to  send  you   information,  look  in  the  phone  book  under
SCOTTISH...... eg Scottish Youth Theatre, Scottish Canoe Association etc.
vol Voluntary Work

If  you're over  16 and  you want  to  leave  home and  go away  to work,  CSV
(Community  Service  Volunteers)  will  arrange  a  placement  for  you, doing
something like working in  a hospital or kids home. You will  live in, so your
board and  lodgings will be free  and you'll get about  £20.00 per week pocket
money. There are special Social Security rules for those doing @workpt[^1voluntary Work^0].

Contact:

CSV 236 Clyde Street Glasgow    Tel: 041 204 1681
CSV 14 Forth Street Edinburgh   Tel: 031 557 4033

You can go for  between 4 and 12 months and all  your travelling costs will be
paid for you, (no qualifications are needed, and one is turned down).

For more ideas ask at your local volunteer exchange/bureau. Look up the number
in the phone book, or ring directory enquiries.

Avol Voluntary Work Abroad

If you're over 18, and you're interested  in going abroad to do some voluntary
work, you  should contact IVS  (International Voluntary Service),  who arrange
work camps through Europe (which use  English as their common language), doing
a wide variety of things.   Workcamps can last for up to 4 weeks.

Internation Voluntary Service
St Johns Church
Princes St
Edinburgh.
Tel: 031 229 7318

To get more  info about work-camps and other sorts  of voluntary work, contact
your  local YES  service or  look in  your local  bookshop, where they usually
have  books on  summer holidays  jobs  abroad.  There is  also an  Internation
directory of summer holiday jobs abroad, which you can get from:

Vacation Work
9 Park End Street
Oxford
OX1 1HJ
uadd Useful Addresses

The Scottish Child Law Centre                ┌────────────────────────┐
Lion Chambers                                │ @ccl[^1Childline Scotland^0]     │
170 Hope Street                              ├────────────────────────┤
Glasgow.                                     │ Freephone 0800 1111    │
Open:      Tue-Fri 10am-4pm                  │                        │
Telephone: 041 333 9305                      │ Young People in Care   │
Freephone Advice line: 0800 317 500          │ Freephone 0800 884444  │
                                             │                        │
  ^2Useful Agency Addresses^0                    │ Or Write to:           │
  ═════════════════════════                  │                        │
  ^1@nadd[!1. ^0^bNational agencies^b]                       │ Childline              │
  ^1@locad[!2. ^0^bLocal Advice Centres^b]                    │ Freepost 1111          │
  ^1@swh[!3. ^0^bSocial Work Emergency Numbers^b]           │ Glasgow  G1 4BR        │
  ^1@disadd[!4. ^0^bDisability Addresses^b]                    └────────────────────────┘
  ^1@osa[!5. ^0^bDrug & Alcohol Support Agencies^b]
  ^1@upa[!6. ^0^bRape Crisis Centres^b]
  ^1@sam[!7. ^0^bThe Samaritans^b]
  ^1@blkadd[!8. ^0^bEthnic Minority Addresses^b]
  ^1@yis[!9. ^0^bYouth Information Services^b]
nadd National Agencies

Citizens Advice Scotland                Brook Advisory Centre
26 George Square                        (Contraceptive/Pregnancy Advice)
EDinburgh                               50 Gilmore Place
Tel: 031 667 0156                       Edinburgh
(For address of nearest Bureaux)        Tel: 031 229 3596

Scottish Low pay Unit                   Equal Opportunities Commission
Freepost                                141 West Nile Street
Glasgow G3 7BR                          Glasgow
Tel: 041 221 4491                       Tel: 041 332 8018

Scottish Civil Liberties Trust          Scottish Trades Union Congress
146 Holland Street                      16 Woodlands Terrace
Glasgow                                 Glasgow
Tel: 041 332 5309                       Tel: 041 332 4946

National Union of Students              Castlemilk Law Centre
12 Dublin Street                        32 Dougrie Drive
Edinburgh                               Glasgow
Tel: 031 556 6598                       Tel: 041 634 0313
                                                           @mona[^1More addresses^0]
mona More Addresses

Legal Services Agency                   Scottish Consumer Council
(Like a Law Centre)                     314 St Vincent Street
11th Floor, Fleming House               Glasgow
134 Renfrew Street                      G3 8AX
Glasgow G3 6ST                          Tel: 041 226 5261
Tel: 041 353 3354

Health & Safety Executive               Equal Opportunities Commision
314 St Vincent Street                   141 West Nile Street
Glasgow G3 8AX                          Glasgow
Tel: 041 204 2646                       Tel: 041 332 8018

Commission for Racial Equality
100 Princes Street
Edinburgh
Tel: 031 226 5186

^2Youth Access^0 -  is an organisation which promotes  youth counselling services.
They  should be  able to  give you  the numbver  of a  service near you. THeir
number is:  0533 558763
locad Local Advice Agencies

Grampian Welfare Rights     Tayside Welfare Rights      Central Region
47 Belmont Street           Friarfield House            Advice Services
Aberdeen                    Barrack Street, Dundee      (For numbers)
Tel: 0224 648247            Tel: 0382 23281 X: 4252     Tel: 0786 451483

Lothian Advice Shop
85/87 South Bridge          Phone these numbers for details of
Edinburgh                   local services.
Advice: 031 225 1255

In many areas (especially Strathclyde), there are also advice worker in
social work offices.  If there isn't a centre listed, check the phone
book for details of your local CAB.

Falkirk Advice Centre   Bowmar Community Project   Welfare Rights Office
47 Glebe Street         9 Elm Grove                36/7 Whitesands
Falkirk                 Alloa                      Dumfries
Tel: 0324 28406         Tel: 0259 219449           Tel: 0387 56620


                                        @load[^1More Local Addresses^0]
load More Local Addresses

GRAIN Info Centre       Crossroads                 Inverurie Adv Centre
53-55 Gordon Street     80 Stirlingsfauld Place    The Railway Station
Huntley                 Glasgow                    Inverurie
Tel: 0466 793676        Tel: 041 429 3254          Tel: 0467 24421

Rights Office Fife      West Lothian Rights Ass    Rights Office Fife
4 Abbey Park Place      2b Greendykes Road         11 Hanover Court
Dunfermline             Broxburn                   Glenrothes
Tel: 0383 732320        Tel: 0506 853056           Tel: 0592 758969
(For other Centre Nos)  (For other Centre Nos)

Rights Office Fife      Skye & Lochalsh Centre     Tannochside Centre
10 East Fergus Place    Elgin Hostel               14 Thorniewood
Kirkaldy                Dunvegan Rd, Portree       Uddingston
Tel: 0592 205556        Tel: 0487 2032             Tel: 0698 816427

Community Info Centre   Glasgow Black Advisory Centre
The Westburn Centre     c/o Y.M.C.A.
175 Dalrymple Street    33 Petershill Drive
Greenock                Glasgow
Tel: 0475 26522         Tel: 041 557 2355
sam The Samaritans

The Samaritans will advise on a range of problems, and will usually have
contact addresses for a range of other agencies.

Local Samaritans in:

Aberdeen:    0224 574488        Falkirk:    0324 22066

Borders:     0750 20000         Glasgow:    041 248 4488

Caithness:   0847 65656         Hamilton:   0698 429411

Dumfries:    0387 53555         Inverness:  0463 713456

Dundee:      0382 26666         Kilmarnock: 0563 31313

Dunfermline: 0383 722222        Kirkaldy:   0592 265444

Edinburgh:   031 225 3333       Perth:      0738 26666

Elgin:       0343 543000        Lerwick:    0595 4449
swh Social Work & Housing Emergency Numbers

Borders      Tel: 0896 2659
Lothian      Tel: 031 554 4301
Central      Tel: 0786 7050
Dumfries     Tel: 0387 63022
Fife:        Tel: 0383 756700
Grampian:    Tel: 0224 684795
Highland:    Tel: 0463 870198
Islands:     Tel: 0851 2222
Strathclyde: Tel: Freephone 8314
yis Youth Information Services

Airdrie YES            Bellshill Youth Info     Clydebank Youth Info
Chapelside Centre      John Street              31-33 Queen Mary Ave
Waddell Street         Bellshill                Clydebank
Tel: 0236 762583       Tel: 0698 747725         Tel: 041 951 4085

Dannys Place Drop-in   Drumchapel YES           Dunoon & Cowal Youth Proj
Shankland Road         4 Essenside Ave          Kirk Street
Greenock               Drumchapel               Dunoon
Tel: 0475 744145       Tel: 041 944 0695/6      Tel: 0369 4830

Greenock Cafe Centre   Haldane Initiative       Terminal One Youth Centre
Wellington Youth Wing  The Smiddy               Logan Street
Dempster Street        2A Manse Drive           Blantyre
Greenock               Haldane, Balloch         G72 0NT
Tel: 0475 28288        Tel: 0389 55934          Tel: 0698 829455

Hamilton Info Project  Kinning Park YES         Youth Enquiry Service
41A Millgate Road      Cornwall Street          Adelphi Centre
Fairhill               Glasgow                  12 Commercial Road
Hamilton               Tel: 041 427 4173        Glasgow
Tel: 0698 891687       @owstr[^1More Centres^0]             Tel: 041 429 2114
owstr More Addresses outwith Strathclyde

Bridge of Don Youth Counselling Service
Bridge of Don Youth Community Education Centre
Braehead Way
Bridge of Don             Cowdenbeath Youth Info Service
Aberdeen                  170 High Street, Cowden
Tel: 0224 703118          Tel: 0383 514519

The Bridges Project       Open Door Speakeasy
55 Albany Street          44 Adelaide Street
Edinburgh                 Livingston
Tel: 031 556 6978         Tel: 0800 220424

Perth YES                 Off the Record
10 St Johns Place         75A Murray PLace
Perth PH1 5 SZ            Stirling, FK8 1YE
Tel: 0738 39909

Many of the agencies listed also publish leaflets & booklet. If you want
information of that sort, call, visit or write for more information.
! BASIC RIGHTS - FURTHER DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEXT

This  programme is  based on  the  booklet  ^b^6Basic Rights  for Young  People
in Scotland^b^0  which is available in  all ^bgood^b bookshops.

If shops  seem confused tell them  that they can order  it from "Bookspeed" in
Edinburgh or quote the  ISBN number which is 0 907560 13  X. The booklet costs
£2 from bookshops.  You can also obtain it from:  The Legal Services Agency in
Glasgow price £2.50 (incudes postage etc). Their address is:

Legal Services Agency
11th Floor, Fleming House
134 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G3 6ST

If you want more information or want to contact Bob Stead or David Palmer (who
wrote this hypertext programme), press ^b^1@?[F1]^b^0 where you'll find their addresses.

You can copy  this programme freely to anyone who  is interested, but stories,
comments, postcards from  far flung parts of Scotland  (Drumchapel??), sent to
Bob would help to make it all seem worthwhile.

                                         Key ^1@*[F2]^0 ^bTo Return to Main Menu^b
? BASIC RIGHTS HELP
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