Is my child ready to be home or out alone?

If you’re thinking about leaving more than one child at home, it’s a good idea to speak to them about who’s going to take charge. If they’re by themselves, they’re going to need to know how to cope in different situations.

Talk to them about what they can do if one of them got sick, if they have an argument, and who they’d call in an emergency.

Make sure older siblings are comfortable and able to look after younger siblings — especially if they’re looking after more than one.

Read our advice about leaving a child home alone with siblings.

Being left alone can feel scary and lonely for a child, especially if they’re unsure of how long you’ll be or how to get in contact with you.

It can help talking to them about their worries and explaining potential scenarios they might face when left alone. Reassuring them that there will be a trusted adult within reach should they need will help to minimise their worry.

It’s natural for parents to be unsure about what’s best for their children, especially when first deciding to leave them home alone.If you’re thinking about leaving more than one child at home, it’s a good idea to speak to them about who’s going to take charge. If they’re by themselves, they’re going to need to know how to cope in different situations.

Talk to them about what they can do if one of them got sick, if they have an argument, and who they’d call in an emergency.

Make sure older siblings are comfortable and able to look after younger siblings — especially if they’re looking after more than one.

Find out more about leaving a child home alone with siblings.

All children like to move towards independence. There can be a lot to think about if your child has special needs or requires extra support – you know your child best and you should make your decision based on their needs.

If your child isn’t able to look after themselves, you shouldn’t leave them on their own. But you may want to think about childcare or leaving them with a family member.

Either way, you may need to think about things like medication, toileting, and whether you trust that person to make sure all of your child’s needs are met.

We have a range of advice and resources for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

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Whether your child has special needs or requires extra support, there can be a lot to think about.

Every child is different and has different needs. You know your child best and what is right for their needs.

If your child isn’t able to look after themselves, you shouldn’t leave them on their own. But you may want to think about childcare or leaving them with an older sibling or family member.
Either way, you may need to think about whether you trust that person to make sure all your child’s needs are met.

See our advice and resources for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

It's good that you have people who can help support your child.

There are still lots of things to think about when choosing someone to look after your child – whether it’s asking a trusted neighbour or finding the right babysitter for you. If you have someone in mind, ask them how they’d deal with situations like your child refusing dinner or to go to bed on time.

If your child doesn’t know the person, let them meet each other first to see if they get on well. Ask your child what they feel about the possible sitter and if your child feels uncomfortable don’t use that person.

Remember if you leave your children with someone who’s under 16, you’re still responsible for their wellbeing.

You might feel more comfortable arranging for someone to stay with your child instead of leaving them home alone. If you don’t have friends or family who can help out, you could arrange a babysitter – see our advice on finding a babysitter that is right for you.

There are lots of things to think about when choosing someone suitable – such as their age, how they’d handle tricky situations and how well your child knows them.

Trust your instincts, and if you have any doubts, don’t take them on.

Remember if you leave your children with someone who’s under 16, you’re still responsible for their wellbeing.

It can be difficult deciding whether to leave your child home alone or with a trusted adult.

There are lots of things to think about when choosing someone to look after your child – whether it’s knowing who to ask or finding the right babysitter for you. If you have someone in mind, ask them how they’d deal with situations like your child refusing dinner or to go to bed on time.

And most importantly, let them meet each other first to see if they get on well. Ask your child what they feel about the possible sitter and if your child feels uncomfortable don’t use that person.

Remember if you leave your children with someone who’s under 16, you’re still responsible for their wellbeing.

For a young child, 30 minutes can feel like a very long time, especially if you’re out longer than expected. Making sure your child knows what time you’ll be home and where you’re going can help put their mind at ease.

We all know that sometimes things can take longer than expected or you might be delayed. But try to get in touch to let your child know if you’re running late and how long you think you’ll be.

Discussing how long you’ll be gone with your child can be a good indicator of how comfortable they feel being left alone. Even 30 minutes can feel like a very long time for a young child, especially if you’re out longer than expected. Making sure they know what time you’ll be home and where you’re going can help put their mind at ease.

We all know that sometimes things can take longer than expected or you might be delayed. But try to get in touch to let your child know if you’re running late and how long you think you’ll be.

We all have commitments that can take longer than expected or are out of our control. But for a young child, 30 minutes can feel like a very long time, especially if you’re out longer than expected. Explaining this to your child can help reassure them.

Telling them that you will get in touch to let them know if you’re running late and how long you think you’ll be can make a child feel more comfortable being home alone.

We’re all faced with moments where we’re kept in commitments late, or even overnight. But there’s a big difference between leaving a child at home for an hour or so and leaving them alone overnight. You shouldn’t leave a child under 16 alone overnight.

If your child is over 16 and you think they’re ready to be left alone overnight, let them know exactly where you are and how they can get in contact if anything goes wrong. And remember to have those conversations about who they’ll invite over while you’re away.

Find out what else you can do to make sure your child feels safe when home alone

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Leaving a child at home during the day is very different to them being left overnight. You shouldn’t leave a child under 16 alone overnight.

If your child is over 16 and you think they’re ready to be left alone overnight, let them know exactly where you are and how they can get in contact if anything goes wrong. And remember to have those conversations about who they’ll invite over while you’re away.

We have tips on what else you can do to make sure your child feels safe while home alone.

It’s great that you’ve started having conversations with your child. Keep talking about anything they might be worrying and make sure they have a plan and a few contact numbers somewhere safe in case of anything unexpected happening. So that when you do finally leave them, they’re ready.

It’s important that it’s a gradual process from first talking about being left alone, to actually first doing it. A child shouldn’t be left in a situation they feel uncomfortable with.

Our Home or Out Alone guide has checklists of things to discuss with your child before making the decision to leave them alone.

Finding out how your child feels about being left alone is really important. Talk about anything that might be worrying them and make sure they have a plan and a few contact numbers somewhere safe in case anything unexpected happens. And check in with them every so often if you can.

It’s good to keep having these conversations so that when you do finally leave them, they’re ready. Practice by leaving them for very short bursts and gradually building up, always talking with them to see how they feel about it. And when talking to them about first going out alone, is there somewhere they can think of which they’re already familiar with and would feel comfortable going to alone?

Our Home or Out Alone guide has checklists of things to discuss with your child before making the decision to leave them alone.

It’s really important to find out how your child feels about being left alone before making this step together. You can build their confidence by talking about anything that might be worrying them and making sure they have a plan and a few contact numbers somewhere safe in case anything unexpected happens.

Having these conversations gradually and over time mean that they’re ready when you do finally leave them alone. You can build up their confidence by practicing leaving them for very short bursts and gradually building up, and talking with them to see how they feel about it.

If you’re exploring them going out alone for the first time, you can see if there is a familiar and nearby place - like a park or local shop - where they can go by themselves or with a friend to become more comfortable with being out without you.

Our Home or Out Alone guide has checklists of things to discuss with your child before making the decision to leave them alone.

It's good that you know what your child plans on doing. It’s impossible to know what your child is up to every second of the day. But if they’re going to be on their own, it’s important to make a plan and some ground rules. Every child is different, so think about what they like to do and what to do if the unexpected happens (like a power cut or something breaks).

Be clear on who should and shouldn’t know they’re alone, and make sure you explain the dangers of telling all their friends on social media they’re on their own. Find out more about keeping children safe online.

No parent can know what their child is up to each and every second of the day. But it’s important to make a plan and some ground rules if your child is going to be on their own. Every child is different, so think about what they like to do and what to do if the unexpected happens – what if there’s a power cut or if something breaks?

Chat to your child and be clear on who should and shouldn’t know they’re alone, and make sure you explain the dangers of telling all their friends on social media they’re on their own! Find out more about keeping children safe online.

It’s normal for parents not to know what their child gets up to each and every second of the day. But when being left on their own, it’s important to make a plan and some ground rules. Thinking about what they like to do can create some structure for when they’re alone. And talking to them about what to do if the unexpected happens (like a power cut or something breaks) can make them feel more confident.

It’s really important to be clear on who should and shouldn’t know they’re alone, and make sure you explain the dangers of telling all their friends on social media they’re on their own! Learn more about keeping children safe online.

Independence is a normal part of every growing child. Whether it’s going to the park with friends, walking to the local shop or just going to the toilet on their own whilst you’re out shopping. But it’s important to consider various factors before they go out alone.

Just like leaving them home alone, it’s good to know some things before they go out alone – including where they are going, how long they will be, how can you contact them if needed, and if they are going with a friend.

Every child should know basic information before going out - including their full name and address, two trusted adults’ contact details, and how to cross the road safely.

Every child is different when it comes to being ready for more independence. If you think your child is ready, you can explore with them if they would want to go to a nearby, familiar place – like the local shop or their usual walk to school – to try going out alone. But no child should be forced to if they’re not ready.

But when they are ready (and want) to go out alone, there are important things to consider before they do. Just like how you would before first leaving them home alone, it’s important to understand various things before they go out alone – including where they are going, how long they will be, how can you contact them if needed, and if they are going with a friend.

Every child should know basic information before going out, including their full name and address, two trusted adults’ contact details, and how to cross the road safely.

Whether it’s making their own way to school or going to the park with friends, every child will reach a point when they want more independence. This is a natural and important part of their growth and becoming more confident.

Every child is different and will want (and be ready) to go out alone at different times. But when they do, there are important things to consider before they do – like where they are going, how long they will be, how can you contact them if needed, and if they are going with a friend.

Every child should know basic information before going out - including their full name and address, two trusted adults’ contact details, and how to cross the road safely.

That’s great!

The outside world can be an exciting, but also big and scary place for children, especially when they’re not used to being in it on their own. So familiar environments - like a nearby shop, park, or route they already walk to school - will make it less daunting for them when they first venture out alone.

It’s also worth considering potential risks or challenges they might face when out alone, such as what to do if they are approached by a stranger or if they are lost.

Download our free Home or Out Alone Guide to discover other ways to build up their confidence in going out alone.

Being familiar with the places a child goes when alone is really important. If they don’t know where they are, it’s easy to get lost or feel unsafe.

So when your child first starts going out alone, think about where you often go together – like to the local shop or your normal walk to school. The outside world is a big and scary place for children, especially when they’re not used to being in it on their own. So these familiar environments can be a comfort blanket for them and make it less daunting for them to venture out alone for the first times.

Download our free Home or Out Alone Guide to discover other ways to build up their confidence in going out alone.

Familiarity is really important when your child first goes out without you. Being alone as a child can be like riding a bike: it requires steady practice and you won’t get it in one go. So having somewhere familiar to go to when first going out alone – like a local shop, park or route to school – can give your child the familiarity and reassurance they need when first being out on their own.

It might be easier for them to go out with a trusted friend – so it’s worth thinking about somewhere they could both go to that is nearby, like a park.

Download our free Home or Out Alone Guide to discover other ways to build up their confidence in going out alone.

You never know what might happen while you’re away, so it's great you've started having conversations which can really make a difference.

Do they know what to do if someone rang on the door, called the house phone or where there’s a spare key? And do they know where the first aid kit is if they became sick, or where snacks were if they were hungry? What if they smell gas? Can they confidently navigate themselves home or how to contact you whilst our alone?

Take time to explain what they should do if there was a power cut, a broken tap or a fire. And don’t forget to include these in your emergency numbers list.

Remember, a child who’s usually mature and level-headed might still fall apart in an emergency. See our tips to help keep your child safe alone.

It’s natural for parents to worry that their child isn’t ready to be alone in case something unexpected happens.

A child who’s usually mature and level-headed might still fall apart in an emergency. Talking to them about potential scenarios is helpful to see if they are ready and able to deal with certain challenges alone.

What if they smell gas? What if someone knocks on the door? Do they know where there’s a spare key? Can they confidently navigate themselves home or how to contact you whilst our alone?

Take time to explain what they should do if there was a power cut, a broken tap or a fire. And don’t forget to include these in your emergency numbers list.

You never know what might happen while you’re away, so it's great to have these conversations which can really make a difference.

Make sure to check out our tips to help keep your child safe alone for more advice.

Leaving your child alone is a tough decision for all parents. Knowing whether they’re ready is a decision each parent must make for themselves but exploring potential scenarios with your child helps to know how they can respond to certain challenges they might face whilst alone.

You never know what might happen while you’re away and a child who’s usually mature and level-headed might still fall apart in an emergency. So it’s really important to have these conversations which can really make a difference.

Do they know what to do if someone rang on the door, called the house phone or where there’s a spare key? And do they know where the first aid kit is if they became sick, or where snacks were if they were hungry? Can they confidently navigate themselves home or how to contact you whilst our alone?

Take time to explain what they should do if there was a power cut, a broken tap or a fire. And don’t forget to include these in your emergency numbers list.

See our tips to help keep your child safe alone.