The NSPCC has reported a significant increase in adults raising concerns over children being left to fend for themselves
A charity has reported a significant rise in concerns about children being left home alone.
The NSPCC has urged parents to think carefully before leaving their children unsupervised during the school holidays, after seeing a 21% rise in contacts about the issue last summer from across the UK.
With school holidays ongoing in Scotland and schools finishing elsewhere in the UK for summer, the child protection charity has revealed specialist practitioners on its helpline received 5,737 calls and emails in 2018/19 from adults concerned about youngsters being left home alone.
Nearly a third of this correspondence was received between the summer months of July to September when children are away from school for at least six weeks.
In 2018/19, the NSPCC helpline made 244 referrals to agencies based in Scotland from individuals who were concerned about a child that was left alone or unsupervised.
While some of the 1,824 contacts to the NSPCC helpline in summer 2018 were from adults simply seeking advice on when it is appropriate to leave children unattended, a worrying 70% of those contacts were judged so serious by the NSPCC they were passed on to police or social services.
Across the year worried callers reported children being left alone overnight, young children left to feed themselves and use dangerous kitchen equipment and siblings fighting over iPads and games.
A concerned relative told the helpline: “I'm aware in the past my teenage grandson has been left home alone in the daytime and evenings while his mum goes out. At the moment, he's being left home alone every day. He doesn't have any friends or family in the new town so all he can do is play on his game station all day. The last time I saw him he looked really unhappy.”
Although the law does not give a minimum age at which children can be left on their own, parents and carers can be prosecuted for cruelty to a child, which includes neglect, abandonment and failure to protect, if children are put at risk of suffering or injury.
Louise Exton, NSPCC helpline manager, said: “Summer holidays can be a fun time for children but it is also when they are more likely to be left home alone as parents face increasing childcare pressures. Childcare is the biggest cost for families after housing, which could explain why we see a spike in calls to our helpline during these months.
“Leaving your child home alone can be a difficult decision as children mature at different ages – there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer. Parents are best placed to know what is right for their child so it’s vital there is flexibility for them to decide, but we would urge them to think carefully and use their common sense when deciding if their child could cope.”
The NSPCC has issued the following guidance to help parents and carers decide when to leave children home alone:
• Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone.
• Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time.
• Children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight.
• Parents and carers can be prosecuted for neglect if it is judged that they placed a child at risk by leaving them at home alone.
• A child should never be left at home alone if they do not feel comfortable with it, regardless of their age.
• If a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them at home alone or with an older sibling.
• When leaving a younger child with an older sibling think about what may happen if they were to have a falling out - would they both be safe?
The charity is also encouraging parents to use the start of the summer holidays to remind their children about staying safe online, as inevitably they will be gaming and using their mobiles a lot more.
If children are going to be left home alone and using online devices it is important for parents to explore their online world together, and put boundaries in place.
Laura Randall, NSPCC associate head of child safety online, said: “One of the best ways for parents to keep their children safe is by having regular conversations about what they are doing online – similar to finding out about their day at home or school. Parents will be able to spot any problems, and should encourage their child to come to them if they’re worried, as well as make sure their child knows what’s ok to share online - and what’s not.
“Today’s children don’t see the division between online and offline worlds, so it is vital that parents talk to them about the possible dangers they could face online, and how to protect themselves. Just as you would with all the offline places they socialise and play.”
Parents can call the O2 and NSPCC online safety advice line (0808 800 5002) for free expert advice on setting-up parental controls, adjusting privacy settings or using social networks.
