What age can Dc walk home alone?

[newstart1234]

I'm seriously considering moving back to the UK next year due to growing family commitments. I'm trying to work out where I could work/live/DC attend school. Commute times etc. At what age would it be acceptable for the child to walk home alone on a regular basis, maybe 3 times a week, and spend maybe 1-2 hours at home before a parent returns?

Mine did this in Y5, once a week for 40min. By Y6 it was a couple of times a week for up to an hour.

At my dd’s primary school, from Y5 (so 9/10, depending on when their birthday is in the year). NSPCC have guidance on how long it’s OK for them to be at home by themselves, but there’s no actual law.

You will need to consider things like:

• what will they be allowed to do and not allowed to do in the house by themselves? Eg not allowed to answer the door or cook, can get a cold snack and watch TV.
• what happens if something goes wrong, is there someone local they can contact or go to? If not, then it may not be a good idea.
• how will you make sure they reach home safely (tech can help here) and aren’t wandering around?
• what happens if they want to go to a friend’s house or the park at the last minute?

Thank you both. Very informative and helpful.