Leaving Your Child At Home Alone

As your child gets older, it’s likely they’ll want a bit more independence. Staying home or going out without you is a natural step for them to take — when the time is right. It can be hard to decide whether your child is ready. There’s a lot to think about. And a lot you might be worried about. The downloadable guide below from the NSPCC is designed to reduce that worry, by helping you make the right decision for you and your child.

While every child is different, the NSPCC don’t recommend leaving a child under 12 years old home alone, particularly for longer periods of time. Children in primary school aged 6-12 are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit or cook for themselves without adult supervision.
If you need to leave them home, it’s worth considering leaving them at a friend’s house, with family or finding some suitable childcare