Age you can legally leave a child home alone after school in England

SCHOOLS are officially back in session, but what does that mean for childcare? With many parents working late into the evening, hours after the final bell, families have been left at a loss for after-school plans. Children under 16 should not be left on their own overnight (stock image) So the question is – at what age can you legally leave children at home on their own in England? There is currently no law that outlines a specific age for leaving a child unsupervised at home. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! However, parents are reminded that it is a criminal offence if youngsters are put at risk. You can face fines or even jail if your child suffers harm due to being left alone. Child protection laws prohibit leaving a minor “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health”. The government advises parents to use common sense when determining if a child is mature enough to be left at home alone. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) offers a comprehensive guide for this topic. “Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a ‘one size fits all’ law,” it says on its website. Most read in The Sun The NSPCC recommends children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time. Kids aged under 16 should not be left home alone overnight, no matter how responsible they seem. And babies, toddlers, and very young children must never be left alone, even for a moment. The NPCC’s Helen Westerman said parents need to consider a couple of critical factors, including how both they and their child feels about the latter playing outside unsupervised. “Lots of parents will be thinking about whether it’s safe to leave their children at home safely, and if they’re old enough to leave the house unsupervised,” she told the Liverpool Echo. “As well as determining if a child is ready to be left alone, many parents will also find balancing work with the school break quite challenging, especially considering the rising child costs and the cost of living crisis, which is placing additional strain on families.” Helen added: “As children get older, it’s common for them to want more freedom and learn to be independent. “As every child is different, we recommend building up their independence at their pace and checking in with them to make sure they feel safe.” And if the first step towards independence is letting them walk home alone from school, experts have also shared advice on this. NSPC advice HELEN, from the NSPC, has said that parents should consider these six things if they are deciding to leave their child home alone. 1. Are they prepared to be left home alone? – Think about how your child would handle an emergency situation if they are home alone. Helen says: “Think about if they can deal with risks, will they behave responsibly, will they be safe?” 2. Undertake prudent measures – Think about the key steps that you would need to take to make sure your child has everything they need, like spare keys and access to food and a bathroom. 3. Never leave babies or toddlers on their own 4. Be in the know about their unsupervised outings – When your child is out on their own, make sure you know where they are going, who they are with, what they are doing and how far they’re travelling. 5. Share essential contact info – Helen says: “Make sure they know a trusted adult’s full name and address, and have two trusted adults’ phone numbers.” 6. Prepare your child – Make sure your child knows how to handle different situations. Helen advises: “Ask them what they’d do if they hurt themselves or if a stranger knocks on the door.” Comment now