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A Party at someone else’s house

Allowing your teenager to go to a party

When it comes to social gatherings at someone else’s house, trust your instincts and check things out. 

A get-together, with easy access to alcohol and no supervision, is potentially a bad combination. Parents can be told that everybody is going, “I would be the only one not allowed to go if you said no” and although this may be the perception of your child, the reality may be something different.

If you agree that your child can go to the party:

  • Explain to your child that, if they are still under 18 and under your care, you are going to speak to the host parent and check what the plans are for serving alcohol and supervision of alcohol
  • If possible, talk to other parents and ask if they are going to allow their child alcohol to take to the party. A party is less likely to get out of hand if the alcohol available is limited to what has been arranged and supervised by the party host
  • Talk to older siblings, if you suspect that your younger child might ask an older sibling to buy them alcohol to take to the party. Remind them that if they do this, it could be classed as a proxy purchase which is against the law. For more information about proxy sales, visit the ‘It’ll Cost Us’; campaign https://www.safersthelens.org.uk/pages/alcohol-underage-sales-crackdown/

Make it clear that if you have agreed with your child that they will not take any alcohol from home without your permission, you would regard this as stealing.

Remember to agree plans about alcohol with your child before they go to the party.  If they then decide to go against their word, explain what the consequence will be.

Make sure you are contactable and can be available to collect them if things aren’t going to plan and they want to leave early.