If you’re wondering what the law says about children going out on their own, here is everything you need to know.
When can my child go out on their own without any adult supervision?
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According to Action for Children, there is no legal age at which your child should be before going out unsupervised.
However, parents have been told to start teaching their kids independence skills, so they gradually feel more confident when encountering tricky situations.
If you don’t feel happy letting your child out alone, explain to them that this is something you don’t feel they are ready for yet, before coming up with a plan to help them gain the right skills.
Generally, the NSPCC does not recommend letting kids under the age of 12 out unsupervised, with primary school children typically being too young to walk back from school all by themselves.
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At what age can my child be left home alone?
As is the case with going out, there is no legal age required for kids to be left home alone, according to the NSPCC.
However, it is against the law to leave a child at home if this puts them at risk, with it generally being agreed that those under the age of 12 are too young.
Every child matures differently, so it would be “impossible” to apply a “one size fits all” approach, the children’s charity adds.
