At what age is it ok to leave children home alone?

michellen34

Hiya,

Firstly sorry if I have posted in the wrong place?

Ok, what I want to ask is, at what age is it ok to leave your children home alone? I ask this because someone at the job centre said I could get a job till say 9-10pm and it would be ok for my 14 year old or even my 11 year old to look after my 3 year old, I'm sure this can't be right? at least in my 11 year olds case?
Does any one know where the law states at what age it is ok?

Thank you in advance

CruelKaren

I would report whoever told you this...
It is abolutely wrong, there is no age by law as I am aware,
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/helpandadvice/publications/leaflets/homealone_pdf_wdf36243.pdf
this is an information form from nspcc about leaving kids home alone.

I know my stupid sil left my neice who was then a responsible 12-13yr old home alone with her 3-4yr old brother and one of the neighbours called the police and she was reported to social services.
don't get me wrong nothing came of it she attended a meeting and was told in future it would be more sensible to have an adult looking after the little one, leaving the 12-13yr old home alone is fine if she is responsible but that was it.

Hope that helps.

ellawood

:eek: sorry had to reply I think that is not right at all not sure about the law my dd1 who is 18 will babysit for me dd2 18mths but not for long as she does not do nappies lol ( 1hr) and so far its fine but to say 14 and 11 can look after 3 year old words fail me I know that plenty poss do but for the jobcenter to say that

oldMcDonald

CruelKaren wrote: »

I would report whoever told you this...
It is abolutely wrong, there is no age by law as I am aware,
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/helpandadvice/publications/leaflets/homealone_pdf_wdf36243.pdf
this is an information form from nspcc about leaving kids home alone.

I know my stupid sil left my neice who was then a responsible 12-13yr old home alone with her 3-4yr old brother and one of the neighbours called the police and she was reported to social services.
don't get me wrong nothing came of it she attended a meeting and was told in future it would be more sensible to have an adult looking after the little one, leaving the 12-13yr old home alone is fine if she is responsible but that was it.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the link

I leave my (almost) 14 yo at home on his own, I'm sure he is able to look after himself fine! I have also left him with either my 11yo OR my 10 yo, but not both together and NEVER if I am going to be longer than 15 / 20 mins. I would never leave him with my 9yo (who is disabled) or my 5yo as I think it is far too big a responsibility for someone of that age.

For the Jobcentre to say a 14yo can look after a 3yo for that amount of time is ridiculous, to suggest an 11yo should do so it is shocking.

Have opinions on this changed over the years? When I was younger (10plus) I was refered to as a 'latchkey child' by someone as I had my own key and would let myself into home at lunch times or end of school as my mum wasn't home. By the age of 12 I would be looking after my 8yo sister for a couple of hours when my mum worked and by the age of 13 / 14 I often babysat for younger children (ages 3 or 4), but I would consider that far too much responsibility to give to someone of that age now.

michellen34

I know i was quite shocked when she said it, I want to get a job, desperately ,but there is no way on this earth I would leave my DD (11) looking after my 3 year old. infact I wouldn't leave my DS (14) looking after my 11 year old, they would kill each other by the time I got back! lol
But thanks for the help, I'm off to check out the link now,

Thanks again,

Michelle.

michellen34

A friend of mine said yesterday she'd rang the local police authority when she was working late etc and was told you can't leave a 14 year old alone for more than two hours? It's very confusing isn't it

tiamai_d

I remember my parents were 'lifted' once when my little brother was 15 and I was 18. They had to call me to come home before they could leave my brother at home on his own as he wasn't yet 16.

I'd think and 11 and 14 year old could look after themselves when you were working but no way can either look after a 3 year old! Maybe if the eldest was 16 (and happy to do it), but not at 14. What if the toddler got sick? I know how much I panic when either of my kids are ill!

Go back into the jobcentre and ask why they think it is appropiate for you to put your children at risk and possibly end up subject to a social services review?

Best of luck with the job hunting!

oldMcDonald

michellen34 wrote: »

A friend of mine said yesterday she'd rang the local police authority when she was working late etc and was told you can't leave a 14 year old alone for more than two hours? It's very confusing isn't it

That is really confusing!

Does that the mean that a 14yo can only go out with friends, or catch a bus into town alone, so long as they are home within 2 hours?

Maybe it is just because she was working late (assuming that means late at night?)

julie03

i have a 14 year old, a 6 year old and a 2 year old. the 14 year old can stay on his own all day if ness but babysitting the other 2!!!!!!!, hes too wrapped up in what he is doing, he would never watch them. i think it is very irresponible for the job centre to say this as every child is different and not all are capable of looking after other children especially a 3 year old.

Taye

I belive legally the older child has to be 15 before they can be left to watch a younger sibling.

There is no legal age a child can be left alone but the guildlines suggest a child may be left when a parent deems them mature enough and the example says "a mature 12 year old may be left alone, while an immature 13 year old may not"

My sister is in social services and she says anything bellow about 12 they start raising eye brows and questioning it.

hm71_2

its my understanding ( i'm probably wrong) that is no law relating to leaving children at home merely guidelines... But common sense should provale- my 17 yr old hates being at home on her own of a night so to expect an 11yr old to care for a 3yr old- which would include bed & bathtime for both seems horrendously stupid- tell the jobcentre worker not to be dinny!!!!