Legal age young children can be left home alone as Easter Holidays near

The law does not say an age when you can leave a child on their own, but it’s an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk and just because you can doesn’t mean you should

As the Easter break looms, many parents grapple with juggling childcare and work commitments. For those with older kids, school holidays often spark debates about when it’s appropriate to leave a child unattended at home and for how long.

While UK law doesn’t specify an age at which children can be left alone, it is considered a crime if a child is left in a situation that could put them at risk. The government advises parents to “use their judgement” based on the maturity of the child before deciding to leave them unsupervised.

However, there isn’t a universally agreed upon age at which a child can be left alone. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) suggests that children under 12 are seldom mature enough to be left alone for extended periods, and those under 16 should not be left alone overnight.

Furthermore, babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left unattended. The government also warns that parents can face prosecution if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’, reports the Liverpool Echo.

With the school holidays fast approaching, we’ve revisited some advice from the NSPCC to help parents make informed decisions during the summer break.

Helen Westerman, the NSPCC’s head of local campaigns, has emphasised that “a child who doesn’t feel comfortable shouldn’t be left alone. She said this is why making a universal legal age is impractical, as some children, albeit the same age, have different levels of maturity. Parents must also consider if it’s safe for their children to play outside without supervision. Ms Westerman added: ” She argued against a universal legal age for leaving children unsupervised due to varying maturity levels among kids of the same age.

Parents are also urged to assess the safety of their children playing outside without adult supervision.

Westerman further explained: “Lots of parents will be thinking about whether it’s safe to leave their children at home safely, and if they’re old enough to leave the house unsupervised. This can be a really tricky decision for parents and carers to make as it will differ from child to child.”

She added that many parents struggle to juggle work with school holidays, especially in light of rising child costs and the cost of living crisis, which is putting extra pressure on families.

In 2022, Westerman revealed that the NSPCC had received over 21,000 calls about unsupervised children in the last four years, with almost half of these calls made during the summer holidays.

She continued: “As children get older, it’s common for them to want more freedom and learn to be independent.

“This is an important part of growing up, but we know there can be a lot to think about for parents. As every child is different, we recommend building up their independence at their pace and checking in with them to make sure they feel safe.”

Ms Westerman advised: “If they’re going to be home alone for example, ask them what they’d do if they hurt themselves or if a stranger knocks on the door. If they’re going out alone, you might want to ask them what they’d do if someone asks them to do something they’re not comfortable with.

“It’s a good idea to agree on some house or outside rules that suit their maturity before you leave them alone. Give your child a chance to build their independence by building your trust. If they adhere to rules and boundaries you set, you’ll feel more confident letting them do more on their own.”

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