This report explores working with 16 and 17 year olds, who might be eligible for support through Adult Support and Protection (ASP) legislation and Child Protection (CP) guidance.

The report provides a Guidance and Legislation table, as a practical tool for social workers of all levels, and other professionals working with 16 and 17 year olds, to view the policy and guidance options available to them. This is complemented by a discussion of the tensions and challenges around supporting 16 and 17 year olds, through a qualitative understanding of some of the experiences practitioners encounter in their work with this age group.

Together, the table and the discussion begin an analysis on what the overlap in ASP and CP means for 16 and 17 year olds, and the practitioners supporting them.