Skip to Content

Can a child be left home alone.

There is no age laid down by the law stating when your child is old enough to be left home alone; however, it is against the law to leave a child home alone if it puts them at risk.

If you are found guilty you could face a prison sentence.

Applying logic and a modicum of common sense you should never leave a baby, toddler or a very young child home alone.

The older the child gets the more it must be down to the parent, they know them best. Children mature at different rates so you must consider how long you are going to be away, how easily you can be contacted and whether the child is happy to be left home alone.

Each situation is different would you leave a 15 year old over night? Would you leave a 12-year-old alone whilst you picked up some milk? With siblings, you may need to consider how well they will get on if left along together.

Leaving you child with a Babysitter.

Once again parental discretion is the watchword, a babysitter under the age of 16 is not responsible for the safety of a child, the parent is, there are no laws stating the age a babysitter must be, the law goes back to it being an offence if you put a child in danger.

If you are concerned about leaving your child at home alone, then it's probably best not to.

Whilst the Law is not specific on age that does not stop arrests being made, the latest figures provided by the police show that around one parent a day is arrested for leaving a child home alone.


Image Description
related news
recent articles
Major Change in Divorce Law - no fault divorces

Government to finally introduce 'no-fault' Divorce laws..

link

Guide to Family Mediation

The objective of Family Mediation is to provide a less confrontational approach to separation than the traditional Legal Model, helping parents communicate to f..

Digital Crime ‘the new front line’.

The Law Commission has called for a full review of the law dealing with digital crime...

Fraud Solicitors | Solicitors.com

Fraud Solicitors. Fraud could be described as a deception in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain, usually monetary...

Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Social Media hampering police investigations.

Its time social media worked better with the police...

Dangerous Driving.

You may have witnessed people driving, 'dangerously' or you may have been stopped for dangerous driving, but are you aware that there are other charges that fal..

Lasting Power of Attorney

Guide to Lasting Powers of Attorney.- If you are looking to appoint a solicitor to arrange a Power of Attorney this guide can help you understand how they work...

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Major Change in Divorce Law - no fault divorces

Government to finally introduce 'no-fault' Divorce laws..

Children and the Law Consensual Sex

Children and the Law Consensual Sex
To consent is to agree to something, so when you are talking about the age of consent it is the age at which that law state..

The Divorce Process

This guide lays out the Divorce Process in the UK; Divorce is defined by the Legal dissolution of a marriage by an accepted body or by Judgement of a court...

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top