Summer is a busy time with the kids off from school for six weeks and this can be tricky for many families, but should you leave a child home alone – an expert has all the answers
All kids are different, some are more grown up than others no matter what age they may be. Other children may have special needs or insecurities so experts have firstly warned that ‘no size fits all’ when it comes to leaving your kids at home alone.
Now of course it all comes down to timing too, leaving your son, daughter or a few siblings alone while you pop to the shop is way different than leaving them to their own devices for a whole, long day.
Then there’s the question some parents ponder as to whether you are allowed to leave a sensible kid or teen alone for a day and a night. Well, an expert has the answers.
NSPCC explained online any child who ‘isn’t old enough or who doesn’t feel comfortable should never be left home alone’.
However, you may be surprised to hear the charity also revealed there is ‘no legal age a child can be left home alone’, however, there is a big but as it is ‘against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk’.
On their website, NSPCC explained ‘every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a “one size fits all” law’.
Many parents may feel their older children and teenagers will be perfectly fine being left at home alone during the daytime, but what if you need to work a night shift or are planning on attending a wedding party or other occasion.
Again, no UK laws state an age for leaving your kid or kids at home alone – and this goes for daytime or at overnight.
The NSPCC expects a rise in the number of adults contacting the helpline in July and August as concerned parents ask for advice.
Although the government advises parents should use their own judgement on whether to leave kids alone at home, it also states adults could be prosecuted if a child is left ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’.
However, the NSPCC has some advice and they say children under 12-years-old ‘should never’ be left home alone – and any young child under the age of three is not considered safe to leave alone – even for a few minutes.
There are things to consider especially before potentially leaving a child home alone at night – does the child feel safe, comfortable and is there safeguards in place? Would they be able to reach out and cope in an emergency and know what to do – this is up to the parent to establish.
Unexpected situations must be accounted for and if they’ve never been left alone for even a few hours, leaving them alone for an overnight stay may be just too much for them.
An expert spoke to Yahoo News about the topic, Gail Sayles, NSPCC local campaigns manager, said: “Even if they’re up for the independence of being left home alone, to wake up when there isn’t an adult in the house can be really daunting.
“Emergency services numbers are a must as well as a safety plan for anything worrying – and speak to your teenager about their feelings on being home alone.
“Be aware of teenagers taking it as an opportunity to try alcohol or drugs (in some cases) and make sure there are clear boundaries in place.”
The NSPCC website has more advice here for concerned parents – the NSPCC is also a support service, so parents should not be worried about calling them for advice on their family situations.