There are, in this complicated world, a great many step-parents. If you are one, as I am, do you know your legal position in terms of what you can and cannot authorise when it comes to your step children?

Imagine you have recently married and your spouse has three children. Your spouse is off on camp with the youngest child leaving you to run around with the elder two. You agree they can go out cycling for a half hour. Then the police knock on the door. One of the children has been in an accident and is currently being treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital. The other child is being accused of causing the accident and the police want to talk to her.

Neither of the children