At what age would you leave a child on their own?

[tonywiltshire]

There is no legal age limit for leaving a child (under 18) on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
Has anyone tried suggesting to a 15 year old that they need a baby sitter?

[barry1010]

Why would a 15 year old be at risk home alone?

[andrew1707]

I think it depends on the individual child.

I was left on my own after school from the age of about 8/9 and had to light the fire...nearly burnt the house down a few times, though!!

[wolf63]

where was you sister andrew?

[Mamyalynne]

Good point Wolf LOL

[rockyracoon]

I suppose it depends on how long you are going to leave them really, I have an 11 and 12 year old that I leave to go shopping etc. I don't think I'd worry about a 15 year old unless it was overnight.

[wolf63]

When I was 15 I was babysitting for people - this thought terrifies me as we really didn't have a clue what to do should something go wrong.

[daffy654]

11 or 12 years old if you are only going to be out for 30-60 minutes.

[ummmm]

I've left mine from about the age of 10 to nip to the supermarket. In this day and age we have mobiles and are instantly contactable.

[tonywiltshire]

If you were aware that your 15 year old smoked, unfortunately some 15 year olds do, and you leave them alone where they start a fire and are injured you put yourself at risk of being prosecuted.

[ummmm]

Doubt you would get prosecuted if a 15 year old started a fire. Not if you were only out for an evening. If you left them and went on holiday you might...

[lcg]

mmm...left mine for short periods at 12 years old and evenings at 15. he's now 18 and i'm lucky if i see him twice a week. he's too busy boozing and universitying! i think that's worrying, even at his age and i get him to text me when he gets places and is getting his head down for a night (wherever he may be!). i just want to know he's ok, not police his social life...and he does oblige, bless him x

[cathfromsaron]

defo depends on the individual's own maturity! BUT my problems came from who my daughter let in, and nothing she ever did personally! i used to pay a babysitter to just guard my home! lol!

[roger]

I was left during the day at 13, my sister 11 as my mother had to work full time after my father died. No cars to school and back for us !

[ojread2]

A 15 year old who smokes will smoke anywhere when you're not there and cause a fire any where when you're not there. In fact, any smoker of any age can cause a fire when you're not there, age is irrelevant.

I was babysitting my sisters at 14 - terrifying thought when there is no way to have contacted either of my parents if anything had gone wrong. This was when no mobile phones were around and people still used call boxes