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Leaving children at home
Parents often wonder when it is safe to leave a child unsupervised at home, or at what age an older child can babysit a younger one. What does the law say? English law does not specify an age when a child can be left unsupervised. However, parents may be prosecuted for neglect if they leave a child alone “in a manner which is likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health” (Children and Young Persons Act, 1933). The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) advises that no child should be left alone under the age of twelve, or overnight under the age of sixteen. Even a short stretch without a parent or another adult around can be distressing and lonely for a young child. Most eight to thirteen year olds, even if they feel happy about being left, may not be ready to cope in an emergency. Can I leave my baby alone for a short while? Never leave a baby or toddler alone, even for a few minutes. There are many dangers in a house for an unsupervised child. Leaving a child who is asleep is not a good idea, either - he may wake up and try to come looking for you. Also, being alone in the dark can be terrifying for a small child. What about older children? IAge alone is not a sufficient guide as to when children can be safely left at home. Some children over twelve may seem mature enough, but may not be able to cope in the event of an emergency. If you are trying to assess your child’s readiness to be at home alone, discuss the possibility with them and listen to their reactions - do they look forward to the idea, or are they hesitant about it? It is also helpful if you observe reactions to daily situations - do they rely on you to plan their every minute, or do they enjoy planning their own time? Do they panic when the unexpected happens? How can I prepare my child for being at home alone? If you need to leave a child over twelve for a short time, consider these safety suggestions and other strategies, well in advance of any absence:
Work out these basic strategies with your child and try a short practice run. After this, check out how she is feeling. She may now feel more comfortable about being left, or you may decide she is not yet ready to be left. If you do leave your child alone for short periods, note her feelings about this and keep an eye out for any changes in sleep patterns, work patterns and moodiness. Should I leave my teenager alone in the house? When children are in their mid-to-late teens, being at home alone can make them feel more adult and responsible. However, in these years, trust between you is normally tested to the full. Taking a democratic approach can help you reach a sensible agreement over house ‘rules’. Let your teenager know that being at home on their own is a respon-sibility and a privilege, not a right. But also remember that teenagers are not yet adult, and as a parent you are ultimately responsible. Revisit the safety considerations listed above and discuss them with your teenager. Help him to do a risk assessment of your home. Here are some additional issues for you to discuss:
Should my teenager have a friend over when I’m out? Wherever possible, allow your teenager to have his friends with him. Although two are more likely to behave badly together than one child alone, a teenager with friends around is less likely to feel lonely. Explain the house rules to friends, and explain the reasons behind them. Explain any dire consequences of breaking them, too! How old does a babysitter have to be? While babysitting is legal at any age, parents should carefully assess a sitter younger than sixteen. Under some circumstances, parents can be prosecuted if any harm comes to their child whilst a babysitter under sixteen is supervising. Both Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the NSPCC recommend that no-one under sixteen look after a baby. When can an older child babysit a younger one? You will need to make a judgement on this: does your older child have the maturity and qualities you would look for if hiring a babysitter? If so, and he would like the job of babysitting his siblings, then why not arrange for him to attend a babysitting course? The British Red Cross, which runs these, stipulates that participants must have reached their fourteenth birthday by the time of their final assessment. If your older child is under sixteen years of age, you must be prepared to take responsibility for anything that should go wrong in your absence. You are also responsible for the care and safety of your older child. If your older teenager does babysit, reward him for taking this responsibility, and tell the younger children that they will also merit rewards if they behave well in your absence. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong when you’re away, try not to allocate blame. Practise positive parenting by giving praise where it is due and reward your children for sensible and responsible behaviour. Further information
British Red Cross:
Child Accident Prevention Trust:
National Childminding Association:
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