NSPCC sees a spike in parents seeking advice about leaving children home alone

The NSPCC is urging parents to think carefully about whether their child is ready to be left home alone over the summer holidays.

The call follows a significant rise in concerns relayed to the charity’s Helpline about unsupervised children during the previous year.

Last summer, the NSPCC’s Helpline experienced a surge in contacts from adults worried about children being left unsupervised.

From April 2022 to March 2023, the charity received 11,428 contacts regarding neglect, with more than 40% (4,717) expressing fears about children being left home alone.

The concerns escalated during the summer holidays, with 1,015 contacts made in July and August 2022 alone.

For many working parents, the summer months pose a distinct challenge as they strive to balance the demands of work and childcare. The current cost-of-living crisis exacerbates these pressures, compelling some parents to work longer hours.

The NSPCC and the UK Government guidelines suggest no precise legal age limit for leaving children alone.

However, they urge parents to carefully assess the readiness of any child, especially those under 12 years old, to be left unsupervised.

Infants and young children aged 0-3 should never be left alone, even briefly. For older children and those with complex needs, decisions about unsupervised periods should be made thoughtfully and cautiously.

Children who feel uncomfortable should never be left home alone. It remains crucial for those left alone to have emergency contact numbers for a parent, carer, or another trusted adult.

The NSPCC offers tips for parents considering leaving their children unsupervised, such as regularly checking in with the child and preparing them for emergencies.

Childline, a service provided by the NSPCC, frequently hears from children left home alone for prolonged periods. Extensive unsupervised periods can incite fear and contribute to severe neglect cases.

Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC’s Helpline, remarked, “Many parents struggle with finding the right time to leave their child home alone for the first time.

Every child is different, and the right time will differ for every family.” She emphasised the importance of involving children in these discussions and stated that the Helpline is available to assist parents uncertain about their child’s readiness for unsupervised periods.

In collaboration with Blakemore Retail, which owns 262 SPAR stores across England and Wales, the NSPCC is launching the ‘Home or Out Alone’ campaign.

It promotes a quiz and advice to help parents make informed decisions about leaving their children home alone or allowing them to leave the house unsupervised.

Childline offers support to young people via phone on 0800 1111 and online chat on the Childline website.

More information and advice about leaving children home alone can be found on the NSPCC website.