What is the age of criminal responsibility?
I can explain how individuals choose right from wrong, explain what the age of criminal responsibility is and how it applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What is the age of criminal responsibility?
I can explain how individuals choose right from wrong, explain what the age of criminal responsibility is and how it applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- As we age, our understanding of right and wrong evolves from following rules to considering the impact of our actions.
- Everyone must follow the law, but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of criminal responsibility is 10.
- It has been 10 since 1963, with changes in 1998 which removed protections for those aged 10-14.
- The age of criminal responsibility is different around the world, for example, in Cuba it is 16 and in Grenada it is 7.
Keywords
Right and wrong - actions or behaviours that are considered morally acceptable or unacceptable based on societal values or personal beliefs
Law - rules, usually made by Parliament, that are used to order the way in which a society behaves
Crime - an illegal act that is punishable by law
Age of criminal responsibility - the minimum age at which a person can be legally considered responsible for a crime
Common misconception
Children under the age of 10 have no consequences for their actions.
Whilst the age of criminal responsbility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 10, this does not mean children under this age will face no conseqences if they break the law. They may still face other forms of intervention.
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: What is the age of criminal responsibility?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: What is the age of criminal responsibility?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the What is the law and how is it changed? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
things we are entitled to by law
a formal place where legal cases are heard and justice is applied
a person who hears less serious cases in local courts
Exit quiz
6 Questions
rules, usually made by Parliament
an illegal act that is punishable by law
the minimum age a person can be held legally responsible for a crime