Growing concerns over children left home alone

The NSPPC says it has sent a growing number of cases to the police and children’s services in the North East and Cumbria after receiving calls and emails from people worried about children left home alone.

The charity said that specialist counsellors on its 24-hour helpline made 138 referrals during 2016/17 to local agencies, and increase from 120 referrals made in 2015/16.

There were also 23 calls and emails from people in North East and Cumbria seeking advice about children being left home alone.

Although the law does not give a minimum age at which children can be left on their own, parents and carers can be prosecuted for neglect if children are put at risk of suffering or injury.

Some callers reported children being left alone overnight and young children left to feed themselves and use dangerous kitchen equipment.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: “Deciding if a child is ready to be left on their own can be a very difficult decision, and the summer holidays can be a difficult time for parents and carers as they face increasing childcare pressures.

“Although there is no minimum age, no child should be left on their own if there is any risk they will come to harm.

“Children mature at their own rate so it’s important parents think carefully about what is right for their child.

“Children shouldn’t be left on their own if they are not happy with being left, or if they don’t know what to do in an emergency.”