What age can you leave your child at home alone?
KNOWING when to trust your children enough to leave them at home by themselves is one of the biggest decisions a parent has to make.
The law isn't entirely clear when it comes to an exact age as every child has different needs — so here's everything you should know.
How old do your kids have to be before they can be left at home on their own?
There is no legal limit or minimum on what age a child can be before they are left at home alone.
But the law states that parents and carers shouldn't leave little ones alone at home or in a car if they could be exposed to risks.
Much of the guidance comes from social expectations and parents' trust in their children.
It is thought that because mums and dads know their youngsters best, they can make the right decision on whether they are mature enough to manage at home on their own.
For most children, they begin to be left home alone from around the age of 11, when they move up to secondary school.
It can be a good idea to leave your child for small periods of time and build up to longer amounts of time as they age.
What are the guidelines given to parents about leaving their children on their own?
The NSPCC gives guidance on leaving your child home alone and even has a quiz to determine if your child is ready.
latest parenting advice
They say that under no circumstances should babies, toddlers or young children be left by themselves.
Infants and young children aged 0-3 years old should never be left alone – even for 15 minutes while you pop down the road.
This applies not just to leaving them home alone, but also leaving them alone in your car while you run into the shops.
Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time.
At 16 years old, the guidance says they can be left alone overnight — but before this age it is not advised.
A lot of the guidance relies on parents listening to the needs and feelings of their child, as well as deciding whether they believe they are ready.
If they don't feel ready, or if you are not sure it is the best thing to do, then don't leave them alone in the house.
When you do make the decision to leave them alone, it's important that you make sure to take sensible precautions.
For most children, if you need to leave them, it’s better to leave them with someone — particularly if they’re nervous or have complex needs.
When your child is ready to be left alone, it is sensible to set some rules and childproof the house.
Leave your child with a way to contact you in case of emergency, such as a phone number, and leave the number written somewhere where they can find it (not just in their phone).
You ensure that you are available to come back home should your child need you at any point.
Make sure that any potentially dangerous things — tools, knives and prescription medications — are safely out of harm's way before you go out.
If you have neighbours who you trust, tell your child to go to them in case they need to evacuate the house, and also make clear who they should speak to.
Make sure your child knows what time to expect you back home and what they should do if you are delayed.
For children with allergies, remove anything that may trigger an allergic reaction from the house, and make sure your child has access to a first aid kit and an EpiPen if they need one.
If you have pets, think about whether it's safe to leave your child home with them unsupervised.
Can parents be prosecuted for leaving kids at home on their own?
There is no strict law, but parents can be prosecuted for leaving their kids alone in an environment which puts them at risk.
And if they are found guilty of neglect, they can face a fine or even a prison sentence.
Leaving your child alone in a car can also result in prosecution.
If you leave children alone, or even with a friend, while they are under the age of 16 and something happens, you could be liable for both children — not just your own.
If you're looking for an alternative, consider whether child care is an option for you.
Even though it might seem like a good idea, don't leave your children with one of their friends the first time they are home alone, as this can encourage dangerous or bad behaviour.
If you don't trust your child by themselves, they shouldn't be allowed to stay home alone, especially with a friend to accompany them.