What age is reasonable for a child to be home alone after school?

[Fortheloveofpizza]

Another price increase email from after school today. As of next year I will only have one child left needing childcare thankfully.
I have always kept them in until P7 which is 11/12 . My youngest will be 8 next year and I will only need OSc one day for an hour. He’s a short walk home. What age do you think a child can let themselves in and be alone for an hour?
Appreciate not 8 but interested on what ages.

Can you elaborate as to why? I wouldn't have left my child at age 8 but surely it depends on the child?

I just don't believe this at all. This doesn't match any experience I've had (I work in safeguarding) or DB who is in the police. I know of many cases where people have commited actual crimes and haven't been locked up so sorry, I call bullshit

Well it would depend on how long and how often but it would be of enough concern due to the risk involved. If the child was left in from 3-6pm that’s quite neglectful, would the child answer the door, know what to do in a fire and know how to contact emergency services. I’m not saying it would make CP measures but social work would definitely pay a visit and want to discuss with parents and contact school and GP to see if there are any other concerns

I should probably add my Yr5 dc has permission to collect my Yr3 dc from school and walk to the nearby McDonald's (I used to work there and at school finishing time, my friends still work there - they finish at 4:30pm) as 1 day a week I have an appointment that means I don't get to school in time to collect them & friends and family aren't always available to assist. School don't allow for ad-hoc users of the after school club & being a widowed parent, my options are limited. They have the emergency phone & the big rule is that they must always answer when I phone - non-negotiable rule. I usually arrive at the McDonald's just as they do (travelling from opposite directions so we meet in the middle) as it happens, it's often only once a month we need to do this, but know it is an option is invaluable.

Also, why would a policeman be knocking on random doors, I've barely seen any police around recently and they can't attend burgalaries/thefts I'm not sure they'll be doing any house calls for an 8 year old walking home.

I remember a crimewatch(?) reconstruction about a man following a school girl home and forcing the door open from behind her as she unlocked it - but that can happen whatever age.

Where I’m from in Scotland P7 seems to be the age to prepare them for secondary and no afterschool in secondary

Totally irresponsible to leave an 8 year old alone. NSPCC recommends wait until at least 12

You wouldn’t. A neighbour has left her child alone extensively since before this age, and leaves them alone overnight now at 11. Various people have referred but nothing happens.

Year 5 here so aged 10. Lots of children walking the same route. He can call me via Alexa. Not allowed to answer the door or cook! I have a good friend who could be there in minutes if needed.

Around ten or at least that’s what we did. I was more worried about out road sense than letting themselves in.

Both mine have walked home alone from year 5 so 9y. They have stayed for an hour or 2 after school alone until I’m home from work. I think it’s fine at that age.
Obviously if there was SEN, or if they were just untrustworthy kids it wouldn’t happen. But mine have never done anything to break my trust. They have access to a phone to call me if there’s any issues

But OP said an hour. Would social services really care for an 8 year old walking home and being alone for an hour? If they had a phone, know what to do in an emergency etc ? Surely you have enough to do?

11/senior school IMHO. But I live in a road where there have been a lot of burglaries and they time it for early evening when it begins to get dark and before they think home owners return from work - so children and people WFH have been dealing with intruders.

If the area is safe and no issues about that, and there is a neighbour on standby in case of an issue, then I guess it depends on the maturity of the child?

On Mumsnet 25.

I allow my nearly 11 year old to stay on their own for a few minutes while I walk my dog or pop to the shops quickly. I got them a phone for this purpose, they are thriving from the independence and it's actually made them grow up a little bit. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them for longer than an hour at the moment, but that's due to their ND and not to do with age.

I agree with this. They can't suddenly be expected to start going to secondary independently if they have never had any event that required independence.

I am a bit worried about my DD, she is so brave in terms of doing activities but she struggles to be left alone at all, and she is nearly 11. She will happily take herself off to the park just behind our house and has been doing that for a year or so, but being left inside scares her and if it's just one of us in the house she will frequently burst out of her room to check we haven't left her alone!

We definitely need to be mindful of children's mental health and ensure we are gently guiding them toward age appropriate independence. I think most of of broadly agree with those age ranges too - that it's okay to start trying little things at round 9, and that we definitely wouldn't want our 12 and 13 year olds to be too anxious to be alone for an hour or make a simple journey alone or with peers.

My child would be in secondary school for nearly a year by 12. I WFH so not an issue for me, but other parents would have to find childcare according to NSPCC for an hour after school for a secondary school aged child? Seems overly cautious to me.

Our school won’t let children leave the premises without an adult before year 5 (age 10ish).
We’ve always used this bench mark dispute one of mine being one of the youngest of the year would have just turned 10 when he started walking home and letting himself into the house.
He would be on his own for about 30 minutes before one of us arrived back, there are no real wrap around care in our area for children age 12+ so I think a little independence prior to secondary school is a good idea, rather then chucking them in at the deep end when they reach secondary school.
I would say 8 is a little young, does he have a friends house he can go to once a week for the hour?

As PP say.
I do think it would be better if there was a set minimum age. Before anyone says they're all individuals and some have additional needs, that's true, but we have set minimum ages to drive, drink, use social media etc, and we all know some of us would have driven safely at 14, while some 40 year olds shouldn't be allowed.

Primary schools don’t usually let them leave without an adult until Year 6 so 10 years old.

Y6 aged 11. My son is 8, no way would I let him walk home alone, he has no sense of danger, he's accidentally let the dog out the door when we've been in so I would not trust him alone. My DD would have been more sensible but she was left from Y6 whilst we popped out for very short periods. Y5 to walk to and from school with friends. It does depend on the child but even a sensible child I think 8 is too young, just pay the extra couple of quid for a few more months for peace of mind. I would wonder if something happened to the house with a young child alone would an insurer pay out too? Never thought about it before but I would wonder if they could deny a claim.

I reckon around 11 as long as they’re happy with it and can get in house

Depending on the kid of course but to my mind from year 7 onwards seems absolutely fine. I had a key to let myself into my house at that age.

I was 9/10 but for less than an hour. Saw mum briefly at school before I left to do an easy 10 min walk home.
Phone didn’t have to be a mobile- you could install a VoIP landline quite easily.