Useful Links

Action for Children Action for Children supports and speaks for the UK's most vulnerable and neglected children and young people.

NSPCC guidance - Is my child old enough to stay home alone? Deciding if your child is ready to be left home alone can be a tricky decision. There are lots of things to think about. Plus, there are no hard and fast ‘home alone’ rules or laws because every child is different. Whether you or your child are comfortable with the idea will often depend on how mature and adaptable your child is – and we all know how much this can vary from child to child. The advice below is there to help you make up your mind about whether leaving your child home alone is a good idea, as well as tips for choosing appropriate childcare if you decide it's not. We also give advice on what you can do if you're worried about a child who is being left at home alone.

NSPCC - Handle with Care - How to keep your baby safe Rough handling of babies can cause serious injuries. Handle with care: a guide to keeping your baby safe explains the dangers and gives advice on safe ways of holding and caring for a baby. This simple guide explains why parents should never shake their baby and suggests ways they can soothe them when they cry. There are tips on how to cope when the crying doesn’t stop or seems too much to handle. The guide is also a valuable resource for services and professionals working with new parents or in antenatal care.

NSPCC guidance - Is my child ready to be home alone? Whilst there is no legal age at which children may be left home alone, parents can be prosecuted for neglect if it puts the child at risk of injury or suffering. This guide gives sound advice and useful tips to help parents decide in which situations they may leave their children home alone, and what they need to do to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

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