If you’re unsure about the answer to either of these questions, don’t worry, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has the answers for you.
The child protection charity has answered some of the burning questions asked by parents and carers on its website, including the ages its inappropriate to leave your children without adult supervision for long periods of time.
The NSPCC has also provided advice and tips to help get your child ready for when it is time to make that step.
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Is it illegal to leave your kids at home in the UK?
It is illegal to leave a child alone if “it puts them at risk”, the NSPCC said.
However, there is no legal age at which a child can be left alone.
The NSPCC explains that this is because “every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a “one size fits all” law”.
At what age is it acceptable to leave a child at home?
While there is no legal age a child can be left at home, the NSPCC said it would not recommend leaving a child under the age of 12 at home alone, especially if it’s for a long period of time.
Once your child reaches secondary school age, the charity recommends starting to have conversations with them about how they would feel about you doing so.
The charity goes on to say that it doesn’t matter what age they are – whether it’s 12 or nearly 18 – parents should always consider if their child feels safe and ready before anything else.
The NSPCC added: “Just because your child is older doesn’t necessarily mean they‘re ready to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency.
“It can help to go over the ground rules and remind them how to stay safe at home”.
Can children in primary school be left at home alone?
As stated above, the NSPCC does not recommend leaving children under the age of 12 at home alone.
The charity explains that this is because “children in primary school aged 6-12 are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit or cook for themselves without adult supervision”.
Instead, the NSPCC suggests considering leaving them at a friend’s house, with family or finding some suitable childcare.
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NSPCC issues tips to parents considering leaving their child at home alone
As part of its guidance, the children’s protection charity has also shared some top tips for parents considering leaving their children at home alone:
- Set some ground rules
- Agree what they’ll do while you’re out
- Make sure they’re safe online
- Practice what to do in an emergency
- Be clear what time you’ll be back
- Check in with them every now and then
- Put dangerous objects and substances out of sight
- Build up slowly
Parents can see the full range of advice and tips on the NSPCC website (a link to which can be found above).
