Claudia was 15 and had lived with her aunt during the week from the age of 11 to 14 while her mother was working as a nurse. She returned to live with her mother a year ago, when her mother married George. Claudia hardly knew George before the marriage and does not get on with him. There are constant arguments and fights. Claudia asked her mother whether she could return to live with her aunt, but Claudia’s mother thought that the family should stay together. Claudia became very unhappy and eventually ran away. Claudia rang the Children’s Legal Centre for advice, she told our advisors that she wanted to live with her aunt.

The Children’s Legal Centre advised her that she could seek a Residence Order. This is when the court gives an order about who a child should live with. It is usually adults who apply for Residence Orders but Claudia was advised that she could apply for a Residence Order herself because her aunt didn’t want to take legal action against her sister. Children can apply for a Residence Order if the court thinks that they understand the consequences of the order. If you are in a similar situation call the Child Law Advice Line on 08088 020 008 to speak to an advisor.

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