The law states that parents should not leave little ones alone at home or in the car if they are likely to be exposed to risks, but this also does not indicate an age. She added: “Many parents will question whether it is safe to leave their children safely at home and whether they are old enough to leave the house unattended. This can be a very difficult decision for parents and caregivers, as it varies from child to child. If a child has additional needs, these should be taken into account when left alone or with an older sibling at home. If you leave children alone, even with a friend, under the age of 16 and something happens, you could be held responsible for both children, not just yours. Most arrests involved children aged 10 or younger, but the ages of the children involved ranged from six weeks to 15 years. Even a short period alone can be distressing and lonely for a child, and most children under the age of 13 would not be able to cope with an emergency. There is no specific age at which a child can be left home alone, as maturity and understanding vary from child to child. “Parents are in the best position to know what`s right for their child, but it`s important to think carefully and use common sense when deciding whether to cope,” advises Helen.
“It`s important to build their independence at their own pace and check how they feel when left alone at home. It may not always be the same: for example, your child might be happy to be left for an hour on a bright, sunny afternoon, but not on a dark winter evening. You can try a 15-minute stay while taking a sibling to a club, and extend the time they – and you – feel more confident. Remember that the decision you make doesn`t need to be set in stone. If you`re trying to leave your child at home, but you`re too worried, or if they get angry or don`t follow your basic rules, it`s perfectly acceptable to take a step back and try again when they`re older. Laws in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland state that children must not be neglected or abandoned “in a manner that could cause them unnecessary suffering or damage to their health.” There is no legal limit or minimum age on how old a child can be before being left home alone. He interprets the law to mean that parents “should not leave a child alone if he or she is in danger” and advises parents to use their judgment. There is no legal age for a person to care for children.
This means that parents can decide if their children are mature enough to be home alone. Helen Westerman, head of local campaigns at NSPCC, said: “A child who is not feeling well should not be left alone.” She pointed out that there is no uniform law because children mature at different ages. If you have neighbours you trust, tell your child where to go in case they need to evacuate the house and who to talk to. A child should never be left home alone if they are not comfortable with it, regardless of age. Although there is no age set in the law for children to be left alone, parents can still be prosecuted if they leave children alone. “In addition to knowing if a child is willing to be left alone, many parents will also find it very difficult to work during school holidays, especially given the rising cost of children and the cost of living crisis, which puts additional pressure on families.” Tim Haines was prosecuted for leaving his two-year-old daughter alone in a car for five minutes while he was on his way to a pharmacy to buy children`s acetaminophen. In another case, a mother was arrested after leaving her 15-month-old daughter at home every day for a week while she went out to drink. There is no law stating how long a child can stay home alone, but it is a criminal offense if they are at risk.
For example, a parent who leaves a 12-year-old home alone for a quick trip to local stores would not commit a crime, but leaving a 14-year-old home alone for a week would be a crime. Helen gave advice on how parents can make the right decision to leave their children at home unattended: If you and your child are willing to be left alone, it makes sense to set rules and make the house child-proof. Leaving your child alone in the car can also lead to prosecution. If they don`t feel ready or you`re not sure it`s the best, don`t leave them alone at home.