Need to know
Most schoolchildren in the UK are enjoying February half term
All to know about the legal age for leaving children at home alone:
- According to UK law, there is no specific age at which a child can legally be left unsupervised. However, parents may be committing an offence if doing so puts a child at risk. Official guidance stresses that decisions should be based on a child’s maturity rather than their age alone.
- The NSPCC advises that children under the age of 12 are seldom ready to be left alone for long stretches of time, and that anyone under 16 should not be left by themselves overnight. Babies and very young children should never be left alone. Parents can also face prosecution if a child is left unattended in circumstances that could lead to harm.
- Helen Westerman, head of local campaigns at the NSPCC, said introducing a single legal age limit would not be practical, as children develop at different rates. She noted that many parents use school holidays to reassess whether their children are ready to stay home alone or spend time outdoors without supervision.
- Ms Westerman also highlighted how school breaks can place additional pressure on families, particularly at a time when living costs remain high. She revealed the NSPCC has handled more than 21,000 calls related to unsupervised children over the last four years, with almost half of those coming in during the summer holidays.
- You should assess how your child may manage without supervision and consider how they might react in emergencies. Ms Westerman said: “Think about if they can deal with risks, will they behave responsibly, will they be safe? And perhaps most importantly, how does your child feel about this idea?”
- Ms Westerman stresses the absolute necessity of never leaving babies and very young children unattended, highlighting that this applies whether they are asleep or awake. She further added: “Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period.”
- For anyone worried about a child’s safety, the NSPCC helpline is available at 0808 800 5000, or concerns can be emailed to help@nspcc. org.uk.
