At what age can children ?

Question

be left home alone in the uk, my gran-daughter is nearly 14 and someone has told us she is to young to be left although she is very mature for her age

Answer 1

16 is the legal age..

Answer 2

Hi I think its the age of 13 years, as long as you say they are mature enought then 14 is a good age for her to stay home alone.  

Answer 3

there is no age limit, its if you feel the child can be left, there is no right or wrong answer

14 is old enough in my eyes

Answer 4

I don't think there is an age limit. Obviously it depends on how long you are planning on leaving them alone, but as long as you can trust them, and they are capable of looking after themselves (cooking, cleaning), you can do. If they are aged 13+ then they should be able to cope well.

Answer 5

I was left on my own when i was 14 and it never affected me. I think it depends on the child and how well behaved and mature they are. If she is mature and well behaved then she should be left on her own

Answer 6

I've been staying home since I was 12, and alone with my older sister when I was 9. My sister and I were pretty mature for our ages. If she is mature, let her stay home alone. If she can't cook or goofs off a lot, I would ask someone to stay with her. You should have a way to contact her in case of emergencies.

Answer 7

Most areas do not have laws.  14 is usually old enough to be left alone.

Answer 8

There is no legal age limit for leaving a child on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted for neglect if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’ (Children and Young Person’s Act).

Remeber though that although a kid can seem mature, in the event of an emergency she could possibly panic and not act as you would hope.

Answer 9

I know a 10 year old cant be left alone. To be honest i think a 14 year old is more then capible of looking after itself at home for a little bit during the day etc aslong as they know the basics which most do such as....dont open the dorr to anyone, dont answer the phone unless its you ie on mobile etc. Dont set alight to the sofa...kidding.

I would not leave a 14 year old overnight alone though...personally.

Answer 10

I think 14 is ok as long as you leave some numbers to contact you,.

Answer 11

I think 14 is a good age.

personally i'd say 12/13 depending on how mature personally they are.

and by home alone i don't mean for like a week.

but only if they are trusted.

x

Answer 12

The law Says 14, my neighbour is a policeman! And if he sees me home alone he just says Hi sarah really nicely he knows I'm 14 as well so yeah [; Hope i helped and oh yes this is the uk law not american  

Answer 13

i think she can. I'm 13 nd i babysit little kids (6 month, 14 month and my 10 yr old sister)  at home when my moms gone every day. i don't think she can get in trouble as long as she knows what 2 do in a emergencies. my mom asked our neighbor if they would take us to the hospital if we needed it, but i have everybody under control. as long as you have rules, she should be fine!!!  

Answer 14

i think legally its 16

how long for and where you are goin would make a difference and if anyone is keeping an eye

i dont think id leave my daughter alone at 13 while i went away, maybe she cud stay with a friends parents, that seems to be what most people do these days

Answer 15

If your in the UK don't listen to the people who say 16 ^^

Their is NO LIMIT!! But a perent is responsible of their kid until they reach 18, so you can leave your child/ grandchild at any age but you are responsibly if the child sets off a fire or something.

Answer mine? :]

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

Answer 16

The law does not state any age in relation to this issue. It is for the parent to decide when or if the child can be left safely.

Answer 17

I think you will be fine, as long as you are certain of the maturity level.

Some 14 year olds are pretty well adults.

Some can't cook without burning down the place.

Answer 18

There is no illegal age to leave a child alone. It can be looked at as neglect sometimes if a 6-9 year old child is left alone for a long period of time. It can even be questionable if the child is 10 or 11. I would let my 14 year old stay home alone. I was staying home alone by 12 years old.

Answer 19

The law does not set a minimum age at which children can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk.

You could always ask the neighbour to keep an eye out just in case, and tell your child if anything should happen call 999 and go to the neighbours house.

Answer 20

14 is ok I would have thought.  Although, I wouldnt leave her all day on her own, a few hours is ok.