What is parental responsibility?

All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a parent - known as ‘parental responsibility’.

A person with parental responsibility can make decisions about their child's upbringing and is entitled to information about their child. They also have the right to receive information about their child's health and education. 

Who has parental responsibility?

A mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth.

A father usually has parental responsibility if he’s either:

• married to the child’s mother
• listed on the birth certificate 

It is really important that schools are made aware of who has parental responsibility for each child.  

For more information on parental responsibility, please go to https://www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities