Police support NSPCC guidance on leaving children home alone

National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Child Neglect, Deputy Chief Constable Karen Manners said:

“While there is no current legislation with a clear definition of when leaving a child on their own at home would constitute child neglect, the law is clear in terms of stating that you should never leave a child at home if they would be at risk.

“The NSPCC guidance is very clear: babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone and children under 12 are very rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home for long periods of time.

“We would always encourage parents to think strongly about whether or not their child is of an appropriate age and responsible enough to look after themselves before they are left alone.” 

The guidance also makes clear that parents and carers can be prosecuted for neglect if it is judged that they placed a child at risk by leaving them home alone and highlights the further considerations to be taken into account if a child has additional needs or is being left at home with a sibling.

The guidance includes the following;

• Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
• Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time
• Children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight
• Parents and carers can be prosecuted for neglect if it is judged that they placed a child at risk by leaving them at home alone
• A child should never be left at home alone if they do not feel comfortable with this, regardless of their age
• If a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them at home alone or with an older sibling
• When leaving a younger child with an older sibling think about what may happen if they were to have a falling out - would they both be safe?