Babysitting - minimum age ?

[SingleFosterMum]

What is the minimum age for a babysitter.
My babysitter is 17 would that be ok?
I'm thinking it's probably 18.

[DonMcLeansSecretLover]

I'm not sure there is a minimum age to be a babysitter, am sure 17 would be fine.

[onepieceofcremeegg]

When we looked into fostering we were told very clearly that minimum age for a babysitter for foster children is 18. Also the babysitter would need to be crb checked.

for birth children there is no "legal" minimum, although people sometimes quote 14/16/18.

[SingleFosterMum]

Yes I know they need to be crb checked, I was just hoping 17 would be ok.
Oh well, she's 18 in Dec.
I'll double check with my SW.

[onepieceofcremeegg]

I can only speak for our area SFM (Midlands) but I got the impression 18 was fairly standard. Roll on December

[SingleFosterMum]

Yeah roll on, I'll be desperate for a night out by then !

[damsonjammy]

hi
it is 18 with a full crb check.
for your birth children, legally a babysitter has to be over 14 if a family member, or over 16 if not related.
hope this helps.

[NanaNina]

Sorry damsonjam I am not trying to get at you by disagreeing with what you say, but I think LAs will have different rules about babysitters for LA children. It would depend on the maturity of the person concerned although I agree 18 would seem to be the nor (as they are no longer a minor), with as you say a full CRB check.

I have always been under the impression that legally there is no actual age that is legal for a baby sitter for a birth child, be they family member or related. Apologies if I am wrong but would be interested in the source of your post re the age of baby sitters for birth children.

It has always been my understanding that there is no legal age but if a parent leaves a child with a babysitter who proves to be incapable by virtue of the fact that eg an accident happens that compromises the health and safety of the children, then the parents can be charged with being negligent.

I accept that I may be wrong so would be interested in your source re ages of babysitters for birth children.

[SingleFosterMum]

Thanks Damson and NanaNina for your replies.

I wasn't actually meaning birth children just foster children.
although for what it's worth there is no minimum legal age that you can leave your children.
So in theory you can leave your 4 year old home alone, until they have an accident and then you will be prosecuted !

So far all my babysitters have been 30 plus but things will change when I start fostering as usually my ds goes to their house which won't be allowed for the age of fc I will be having.
I really hope my 18 year old friend will be approved as she is very mature and reliable.

[SingleFosterMum]

Actually, what age can you leave your children alone is different to what is the legal age for a babysitter, so ignore my previous post.

[mumsiepie]

Maybe in theory but if you do leave your 4 year old you could be charged for abandonment and your children removed from you!

[SingleFosterMum]

Don't worry I'm not planning on doing it (not yet anyway he's only 2 !)

I was just reading another thread where someone was asking if it was ok to leave their 8 year old alone while they nipped to the shops.