With the summer holidays fast approaching (it’ll be here in the blink of an eye), some parents will be considering what age is appropriate to leave their kids home alone.

There’s not a law that stipulates a specific age when kids can be left on their tod (as every kid matures differently), however the government warns it’s an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk.

The NSPCC has shared more specific advice. The charity said babies, toddlers and young children should never be left alone. This also applies to leaving them in cars while you nip to the shops.

Kids under 12 are “rarely mature enough” to be left alone for a long period of time, the charity advised. Expanding on this, it said those aged 6-12 years old are “usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit or cook for themselves without adult supervision”.

Secondary school children can be left home alone, however the NSPCC suggests that if they don’t feel ready, or if you don’t feel ready, don’t leave them. It added that under-16s shouldn’t be left alone overnight.........

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