Legal Age for Children to Be Left At Home Alone As Summer Approaches

As the Summer Holids Approach, Mary Parents Will Be Wondering if theyir Child is Old Enough to Be Left Home Alone. The nspcc has shared some guidance to Help Parents

MANY PARENTS WILL FACE DIFFICULT DECISIONS WHEN IT IT TO THEIR CHILDREN. One of Those Decisions Will Be When It is Right to Allow their Children to Stay at Home with Adult Supervision.

During the School Holidays, Parents are offten Left With Childcare Arrangements to Make. This Can Mean Relaing on Family Members or Paying Out for Holiday Clubs, but some palents May Decide Their Child is Mathe Enough to Stay at Home Alone.

Although there is no specific limit limit in law for wen children can be left at home unsupervised, it is against the law to leave a child alone if it puts at risk, reports the Liverpool echo.

As the Summer Holids Approach, we Revisis some guidance published by the nspcc to help pars make -up decides during the summer break.

Helen Westerman, The NSPCC’s Head of Local Campaigns, Said: “A Child who doesn’t feel comfortable shouldn’t be left alone. PARENTS MUST ALSO CONSIDER IS SAFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO PLAY OUTDESIDE WITH ARVISION. ”

WESTERMAN ADDED: “LOTS OF PARENTS WILL BE THINKING ABOUT’S SAFE TO ALL THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME AND IF THEY’RE OLD ENGULH TO LEVE THE HOUSE UNSUPERVIED. THIS A REALLY TRICKY FOR PARENTS AND CARERERS TO MAKE, AS IT IT DIFFER TOT TO TULD TO TULD TO TULD TO TULD TO child ”

“As well as navigating if a child is ready to be left alone, lots of parents will Also Find Managing Work Alongside the School Break Really Challenging, Particularly in Light of the Soaring Child Costs and the Cost of Living Crisis, Which is Putting Additional Pressure on Families.”

In 2022, Westerman Previously Revealed Shocking Statistics Indicating that the nspcc Had Fielded Over 21,000 Concerns About Children Left Unsupervised in the past four years, with nearly half of the incidents During the SummerTime.

She Added: “As Children Get Older, it’s Common for say to want more freedom and learn to be independent.

“This is an important part of growing up, but we know there be a lot be a lot to think for parents. As every child is different, we recommend building up their independence at their pace and cheating with me to make Feel Safe.”

WESTERMAN OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS AND CARERERS CONSIDERING THEIR CHILDREN HOME ALONE OR ALLOWING TO GO OUT UNSUPERVISED Over the Summer :.

1. Are They Ready to Be Left Home Alone?

Parents Should Think About How their Child Might Handle Being Unsupervised, Especilly If there are to be an Emergency. WESTERMAN ADDED: “Think About if they can deal with risk;

“And spreads Most Importantly, How Does Your Child Feel About This Idea?”

2. Take sensible precautions

If you’re thinking about leaving your child at homeselves, take precautions like leaving a spare set of keys and enrasors have access to the Bathroom. Westerman Said: “Consider if there anyway anything that coulud hurt say and how you can have the risk.”

3. Never Leave Babies or Young Children Alone

WESTERMAN EMFASESes the important point that babies and Very Young Children Should Be Left Unattended, Note for Short Periods, Regardless of Whether They Asleep or Awake. She added: “Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to piece in an Emergency and Should not be left at home for a long period.”

The Charity Also Warns Against Leaving Children Under 16 Alone Overnight and Reminds Parents to Consider Any Additional Needs A Child May Have Decide To Leave at Home or With An Older Sibling.

4. Know the facts if they go out unsupervised

When your child is going out on their Own, it is important to be aware of ther intended destination, Activities, Companions, and Travel Distant. WESTERMAN ADDED THAT THIS WILL HELP PARENTS “MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION”.

5. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT PHONE NUMBERS

ENSURE YOUR CHILD HAS THE CONTACT NUMBER OF A PARENT or CARER, AND Identify a Trustworthy adult nearby they can turn to in case of an Emergency if they’re staying home Alone. She Said: “if they’re’re going out alone, make -sura sura a trusted adult’s full name and address, and have two trusted adults’ Phone Numbers.”

6. Go Through DIFFERENT SCENARIOS WITH YOUR CHILD

Chat with your child Early on About they have the could finds in and how to stay safe. KAS I say what they can be and how they think they’d feel.

WESTERMAN ADDED: “if they’re’re going to be home alone, for example, ash say what they will if they hurt themes or if a stranger knocks on the door.

“If they’re going out alone, you might want to say what they are.

7. Estabish Clear Boundaries

ENSURE YOUR CHILD IS FULLY AWARE OF THE RULLES WENH’T UNSUPERVIED, WHERE IN THE HOME OR IF Venture Out Alone, so both you and they underestand how they should be you’re not present.

WESTERMAN ADDED: “IT’S A good idea to aggregate on some house or outside rules that suit their maturity you leave alone.

“Give Your Child a Chance to Build their Independence by Building Your Trust. If they adhere to rules and boundaries you set, you’ll more confident letting say more on the Own.”

If you’re concerts About a Child, Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].