Most parents have legal rights and responsibilities which are known collectively as 'parental responsibility'. Parental responsibility involves providing a home for a child or young person as well as protecting the child or young person. Parental responsibility also involves legal rights and duties, powers, responsibilities and any authority a parent has for a child or young person and their property.
Parental responsibility is a legal status underpinned by the Children Act 1989. Others, besides parents, can have parental responsibility for a child or young person. For example, a local authority for children and young people in its care, a child or young person’s guardian, their stepfather or other relatives will be able to acquire parental responsibility in certain circumstances.
An individual who has parental responsibility for a child or young person has the right to make decisions about their care and upbringing. However, any important decisions in a child or young person’s life must be agreed with any other individuals who have parental responsibility.
Mae gan y rhan fwyaf o rieni hawliau a chyfrifoldebau cyfreithiol a elwir yn ‘gyfrifoldeb rhieni’. Mae cyfrifoldeb rhiant yn cynnwys darparu cartref i blentyn neu berson ifanc yn ogystal â’u diogelu. Mae cyfrifoldeb rhiant hefyd yn cynnwys hawliau a dyletswyddau cyfreithiol, pwerau, cyfrifoldebau ac unrhyw awdurdod sydd gan riant ar gyfer plentyn neu berson ifanc a'u heiddo.
Mae cyfrifoldeb rhiant yn statws cyfreithiol wedi'i danategu gan Ddeddf Plant 1989. Gall eraill, ar wahân i rieni, fod â chyfrifoldeb rhiant dros blentyn neu berson ifanc. Er enghraifft, bydd awdurdod lleol ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc sydd dan ei ofal, gwarcheidwad plentyn neu berson ifanc, eu llys-dad neu berthnasau eraill yn gallu caffael cyfrifoldeb rhiant mewn rhai amgylchiadau.
Mae gan unigolyn sydd â chyfrifoldeb rhiant dros blentyn neu berson ifanc yr hawl i wneud penderfyniadau am ei ofal a'i fagwraeth. Fodd bynnag, rhaid cytuno ar unrhyw benderfyniadau pwysig ym mywyd plentyn neu berson ifanc gydag unrhyw unigolion eraill sydd â chyfrifoldeb rhiant.