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

Reporting a Crime.

If the crime is ongoing call 999, you should not put yours or anyone else’s safety at risk by taking action yourself...

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..

Motoring Offences | Drink Driving.

Motoring Offences - Drink Driving.
If you have been stopped for drink driving it is important that you obtain legal advice as soon as possible and, to assist y..

Double Jeopardy Law

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

link

Guide to a Prenuptial agreements.

A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is an agreement set up by a couple prior to marriage, the prenup will detail how finances work whilst married and in the event t..

New Guidelines for online hate crimes.

New guidelines have been issued to crack down on online hate...

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..

What is a Section 60 notice?

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

link

Annulment of a marriage

An annulment differs from a divorce; as when the process is complete the annulled couple will be deemed to have never been married...

Speeding motoring offences

Speeding motoring offences
Over 100,000 motorists are caught speeding each year, many have attended speed awareness courses, many were fined and received point..

Plea services launched online.

Plea services launched on-line for motoring offences -
The Government has launched a new service that allows motorists charged with summary offences to enter a..

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