Last updated by charlotte.lang@essex.gov.uk on Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The NSPCC Helpline has seen a 65% increase in adult concerns about children being left home alone. The could be due to a number of factors, including greater public awareness about the risks of leaving children home alone. More than half of the reports raised were deemed serious enough for the helpline to make a referral for further action.

So, when is the right time to leave a child home alone or to let them go out alone?

There is no 'one rule fits all' and the answer would be different for each child and each family. There is no legal age limit for leaving children home alone, but it is not recommended to leave any child under the age of 12 at home unsupervised, especially for extended periods of time.

With schools in England breaking up this week, many adults might feel unsure about whether their child is ready to be left unsupervised - take this quiz from the NSPCC to help decide if your child is ready.