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Contact the NSPCC Helpline

You can contact our Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected].

Our voice Helpline is available 10am–4pm Monday to Friday. You can email [email protected] at any time for free. You have the option to remain anonymous.

If we have not yet responded to you and your concerns for the safety of a child increase, please contact the police or local Children’s Services directly. Please be assured that we'll action all contacts that our Helpline receives.

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Under 18?

Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.

0800 1111

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Is my child ready to be home or out alone?

Deciding when it’s safe for your child to be left home, or go out on their own can be difficult. There are so many things to think about – including whether your child feels comfortable and ready. This quiz is designed to help reduce that worry, by helping you make the right decision for you and your child.

1. Do you think your child is old enough to be left home alone?

It's a good sign that you think your child is ready. No matter how old your child is, it's important to think about how mature and responsible they are. Would they get upset if you weren’t there? And would they know what to do in an emergency?

Believe it or not, there’s no legal age for leaving children at home alone. But leaving a child alone if it puts them at risk is against the law, so it’s really important to consider various factors before making this decision.

It’s never ok to leave a baby, toddler or very young child alone - even if it’s just to pop down the road.

That’s OK! Every child is different and it’s not a decision to be rushed.

While there’s no legal age for leaving children at home alone, it is against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk.

It’s never ok to leave a baby, toddler or very young child alone - even if it’s just to pop down the road.

Whatever your child’s age, think about how mature and responsible they are. Would they get upset if you weren’t there? Would they know what to do in an emergency?

Making the decision to leave your child alone for the first time is difficult for most parents – especially as there’s no minimum legal age for leaving children home alone. But it is against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. This is not a decision to rush as it’s important that both parents and children feel ready.

Every child is different, so no matter how old your child is, think about how mature and responsible they are. Would they get upset if you weren’t there? And would they know what to do in an emergency?

It’s never OK to leave a baby, toddler or very young child alone - even if it’s just to pop down the road.

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