Leaving teens 'home alone'!

KARO

There's been some petty vandalism in our neighbourhood, things getting stolen, pizza boxes and beer bottles getting thrown down communal stairs and left there, strong smell of weed coming from one of the properties, and noise issues.


After a bit of asking around it transpires that a teenager (age 14) is being left alone in his flat, sometimes for a week or two, and he does what I suppose any teenager would do when left unsupervised and has his mates and some girls around. The kids all look to be of a similar age to him, so about 14/15.


What I am wondering is, firstly, can someone (legally)just go on holiday or wherever and leave their teenager alone for that length of time, and I also wondered if others on here have experience of leaving their own teens in the house while they go away on holiday, for example. The mum just seems to go off somewhere with the younger daughter and leaves this boy on his own and he's getting up to all sorts.

cte1111

You're not meant to leave children under 16 alone overnight, according to NSPCC guidelines. However the law doesn't specify an age, but will prosecute parents if children come to harm owing to being left alone.

Here's a link to more information from the NSPCC:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/leaving-child-home-alone/

Guest101

You sure he's 14?

Leaving a 14 year old for a day and a night would probably be ok. 2 weeks is far too long though.

SS or police involved?

KARO

Guest101 wrote: »

You sure he's 14?

Leaving a 14 year old for a day and a night would probably be ok. 2 weeks is far too long though.

SS or police involved?

Not as far as I know. The Housing Association told me they've given the mum a formal warning, due to the vandalism, but I am not sure about the Police. If she's not breaking any laws I don't suppose the Police will do much.

meritaten

well the vandalism should involve the police - but as to the young lad - its maybe more a social services problem?
you could try phoning the NSPCC for advice. if this happens often then the lad is at risk of harm.

KARO

cte1111 wrote: »

You're not meant to leave children under 16 alone overnight, according to NSPCC guidelines. However the law doesn't specify an age, but will prosecute parents if children come to harm owing to being left alone.

Here's a link to more information from the NSPCC:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/leaving-child-home-alone/

Yes, I was looking at the NSPCC site, and there is no age limit for being left alone.

The concern is more the noise nuisance and damage to property, than a risk of him coming to harm, I think, although if they are drinking and smoking weed there is that possibility.

fairy_lights

When I was that age my parents would on rare occasions go away and leave me for a night or two at most, I enjoyed the freedom but was always very glad to have them back. Being left alone for a week or two, on a regular basis, counts as child neglect imo. If he's having his mates round for parties, smoking weed and stealing from the building then he's definitely not a sensible kid who can look after himself...Is he going to school while his mother is away, I wonder?

Jagraf

Firstly I would never leave a 14 yer old on their own overnight. If anything happened it would be neglect, a 14 year old is a child. Secondly, this child obviously cannot be trusted to be left alone overnight. So first rule applies, IMO.

Spendless

If you are sure he's 14 and I mention this only because I have a 12yo who looks like she's about 9, then I'd ring the number on the link given previously and mention your concerns.

Madmel

I have a 14 year old and a 15, nearly 16 year old who has a shed-load of top grade GCSEs but the common sense of a fruit fly. I'm happy to leave them home alone for the day or evening, but unless it was an emergency, would not leave either alone all night. It definitely depends on the child, but I would pass it on to SS if you are concerned.

trolleyrun

I was left home alone for a month when I was 16 (over 2 decades ago) and it never occurred to me to have a party or misbehave. I was left with £50 and a freezer of food - not that I knew how to cook... I ended up having to take the rent money (from a flat we rented out) to be able to go anywhere at all.

I'd call the NSPCC or social services if I were you, OP. Clearly, the child can't look after himself properly. Also, if you catch anyone doing vandalism or smoking weed or other misdemeanours, call the police straight away.