is there a law???

[northboy]

is there a legal age where a child/children can be left on there own at home.if you go
ie. shopping,visit friends,work
if you felt that you could trust them.
i am sure that they have to be 16 or over,this is to settle an argument with my friend and his son

[johnny7]

It's 14

[northboy]

thank you johnny

[factor-fiction]

Do you have an authoritative source for that Johnny?Although I have heard people say you have to be 13 I understood there was in fact no specific age in law,

[hc4361]

There is no legal age limit for leaving a child on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted for neglect if they leave a child unsupervised �in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health� (Children and Young Person�s Act).
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchilds healthandsafety/Yourchildssafetyinthehome/DG_0 70594

[north star]

Different in Scotland I believe where IIRC it is a specific offence to leave a child under 13, alone.