unsupervised children

[courtneyj]

At what age can children be left at home without adult supervision

[lou 26]

the nspcc guidelines state that children under the age of 13 shouldnt be left alone but on saying that there is apprently no law about it...as yet

[kazzianne]

I agree - I have always been told it is 13.

[lizwizz]

I think it depends on where you're going and how long you're going to be. I leave my 11 year old for a few minutes while I walk my son to football (no roads to cross), but wouldn't leave her if I was going in the car in case I broke down or had an accident. I leave my 8 year old if I pop next door for a minute, but no more. My daughter always has a mobile number they can ring me on if they want to. I think you have to break them gently rather than leaving them for the first time for a long period. I wouldn't leave them at all if I wasn't sure they would know what to do if they were worried.

[meltoadhall]

my daughter in yr 7 has a key and if I get held up, will let herself in. longest has been half an hour and she has all the usual rules lock doors, no answering phone or door. i have left the younger two - 6 and 9 while I've been next door for a few mins.

there is no law that I am aware of, but it will only be a problem if something happens - and then of course its too late.

[bellasasha]

personally i wouldnt leave a child until they were 16

[meltoadhall]

unfortunately some of us have no choice and no childcare options :(

anyway I have babysitters of 15 and they are very capable

[Poglet]

i think a lot depends on child. my youngest daughter was much more street wise at 12 than my elder daughter etc. so i think common sense would play a large part, during the day that is. Never at night obviously.

[courtneyj]

Thanks everyone for the response. It has helped me a lot with my son

[durbs]

I was told by the police that the legal age is 14 on their own and 16 to babysit.