Education and Child Matters

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Home Alone

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LEAVE YOUR CHILD ‘HOME ALONE’?

To leave your child ‘home alone’ means that your child is at home or another place (including a car) without an adult over 18 years of age present to supervise. 

If there are other minor children present then your child is still considered to be ‘home alone’ because an adult over 18 years of age is not present to supervise. 

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT A CHILD BEING LEFT HOME ALONE?

The law in the UK doesn’t state the age a child can be left alone at home, another place or a car.

However, under the children and young persons act 1993 it is a crime (child neglect) to leave a child alone at home, another place and in a car in a manner that puts them at risk of suffering harm, injury, abduction or death.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT 1993

IS IT THE PARENTS ROLE TO DECIDE WHEN THEIR CHILD IS READY TO BE LEFT ‘HOME ALONE’?

Yes it is your role to decide when your child is ready to be left home alone. You could be prosecuted for neglect if you leave your child ‘home alone’ and they sustain an injury or come to some harm and the police believe that it wasn’t safe to leave them alone in the first place.

WHAT IS THE GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR LEAVING A CHILD ‘HOME ALONE’?

It is generally considered that a baby, toddler and young children from birth to age 3 years should never, under any circumstances, be left alone at home or in a car. 

A child between the ages of 3 – 5 years should also not be left home alone. 

Preferably a child between 6 – 12 years of age should not be left home alone and if they are it must be for a short period only.

A child under 16 years of age should not be left alone all night. 

WHAT DO YOU AS THE PARENT NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE LEAVING YOUR CHILD AT HOME ALONE?

Before you leave your child ‘home alone’ you must ask yourself the following questions and only if the answers suggest you can, then you should.

  1. Will your child know what to do in an emergency?
  2. Does your child have the maturity to understand how to keep themselves safe?
  3. Will your child get scared during the time period they are being left home alone?
  4. Will your child remember all the instructions they were given?
  5. Will your child act on the instructions they were given?
  6. Are you aware of any dangers that would stop you leaving your child home alone?

IF YOU AS THE PARENT DECIDE TO LEAVE YOUR CHILD ‘HOME ALONE’ THEN WHAT PROVISIONS SHOULD YOU PUT IN PLACE BEFORE LEAVING THEM?

If you are going to leave your child ‘home alone’ it is advisable to put the following provisions in place:

  1. Give your child a mobile phone to call you if they need to. Make sure they know how to operate the phone. 
  2. Put your phone number into the mobile phone. You can also give them your number on a separate piece of paper.
  3. Inform your child of other people they can call for help and make sure they have their numbers.
  4. Teach your child about the emergency services and how to contact them. 
  5. Write down the instructions your child must follow if there is an emergency. Talk it over with them and ask them to repeat it to you. Practise this a few times. 
  6. Don’t go too far so if your child needs you you can return home quickly.
  7. Explain all the dangers in your house to your child.
  8. Tell any neighbours to keep an eye out on your child.
  9. Any possible dangers around the house should be put out of reach or removed while you are away.
  10. Inform your child how long you will be so they have a time to look forward to.
  11. Depending upon the age group of your child either feed them before you leave or leave food for them.

It is important to check in with your child whilst you are out to make sure they are fine.

IF YOU LEAVE YOUR CHILD WITH A CHILDMINDER (BABYSITTER) HOW OLD SHOULD A CHILD MINDER BE?

We discuss childminders and babysitters elsewhere on this website. Please click on the link below. 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILDCARE ABUSE

Under UK law there is no minimum age for an individual who can provide childcare and/or babysit for you.

The parents or the person with parental responsibility is responsible for the welfare and care of their child if they leave them with someone aged 16 years or below. If the child is hurt, injured or harmed in any way including death, the parents can be prosecuted for neglect. More than likely the parents will be prosecuted for more. 

CAN YOU LEAVE YOUR CHILD WITH AN OLDER SIBLING?

The sibling will be deemed a babysitter and left to supervise a child. Under UK law there is no minimum age for an individual who can provide childcare and/or babysit for you.

As stated above the parents or the person with parental responsibility is responsible for the welfare and care of their child if they leave them with someone aged 16 years or below. If the child is hurt, injured or harmed in any way including death the parents can be prosecuted for neglect. More than likely the parents will be prosecuted for more.