Leaving kids on their own

WHILE the summer months bring warm weather, light evenings and the long school holidays, they also bring a dilemma for parents – when is it the right time to leave their child home alone?

There’s no set age for leaving children home alone. The law simply says that you shouldn’t leave a child alone if they’ll be at risk.

Last August the NSPCC helpline had to refer 849 children to social services and the police due to worries about them being left unsupervised. To help parents decide what is best for their child, the NSPCC is offering guidance. The main points to consider are:

■ Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone.

■ Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency.

■ Children under the age of 16 should not be left overnight.

■ Regardless of age, a child shouldn’t be left home alone if they don’t feel comfortable with it.

■ If a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them on their own or with an older sibling.

■ When leaving a younger child with an older sibling, think about what might happen if they were to have a falling out – would they both be safe?

To find out more, download the NSPCC’s free Home Alone Guide at https://bit.ly/2OdebQt or call the NSPCC helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 5000. Colin Peak NSPCC Regional Head of Service for London and the South East