Home Alone: Leaving Children on Their own

Think how easy it would be if our children could look after themselves! However, that's not the case, and many busy working mums hire babysitters, childminders, nannies and au pairs to look after their children in their absence, or else rely on the services of nurseries, day care centres, after-school clubs and play schemes.

But what about older children? Should they be allowed to be on their own, even for 10 minutes while Mum pops to the shops? How safe is it to leave a child by him or herself, if even for a short while? And what does the law say about it?

Government Guidelines

Believe it or not, the government has set no specific age at which a child may be left home alone. However, it states that is against the law if doing so puts he or she at any risk. That means that you must use your common sense: while it may be okay to leave a mature 16-year-old home alone in the evening, it is not okay to leave a sleeping two-year-old at home while you run to the mini-market for a loaf of bread.

Many working parents cannot afford the skyrocketing cost of childcare, which can become astronomical over the school holidays. Charities predict that up to one million kids could be left home alone over the summer because their parents cannot afford anything else. But can that really be a good idea?

Under current laws, parents who put their child at risk can be prosecuted for wilful neglect if a child is left alone “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health”, according to the Children and Young Persons Act 1993. That means that YOU will be held responsible should anything happen to your child in your absence if he or she is left alone.

It is estimated that over 1000 children in the UK die each year left home alone, about 90 percent of them from fires. Don't let this happen to your child.

Recommendations for Leaving Children Home Alone

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has advice for parents about leaving children on their own:

• Never leave a baby, toddler or young child home alone, even if they are sleeping or just for a few minutes. While you might think they are safe in their cot, what would happen if the house caught on fire – or if something happened to you while you were out?

• The vast majority of children under age 13 are not well equipped to deal in an emergency situation, and should not be left home alone for anything but a very short period of time. Invest in childcare.

• Children who have to be left alone should be given very clear instructions about what to do in the event of an emergency, with the phone number of someone to call nearby. Additionally, all dangers should be put out of their reach, such as matches, chemicals and sharp objects.

• Teenagers left on their own should consent to the arrangement and have emergency contact numbers ready, as well as your number.

• No child under age 16 should ever be left alone overnight for any reason. If you cannot afford the price of overnight childcare or make alternative arrangements for your child to spend the night somewhere else, then stay home.

Using common sense is the best rule to follow when thinking about leaving children home alone for any reason. Small children should never be left by themselves, while teenagers should be given clear instructions about what to do in the case of an emergency. Remember that most children under age 13 are not mature enough to be left by themselves at all.

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