Leaving DC alone with workman

[redskytonight]

One day a week the DC (12 and 10) walk/cycle home from school (2 different schools) and let themselves in the house. They are then on their own for about 30 minutes until DH gets home. They are used to this, know what to do in an emergency etc etc etc.

We have to have some essential work done on the house, which will mean that the workman doing the work will likely be there when the DC get home. Hence, the only people in the house will be DC+ workman, until DH gets home.

This doesn't sit quite right with me, for reasons I'm struggling to articulate.

I'd like to make it clear that I am not suspecting the workman of being a child molester. But it does seem unfair to put him in the position where he is alone with them. Both from a safeguarding point of view and because if "something" did happen he might feel that he had to be responsible for the children, which again would be rather unfair.

AIBU to think that DH should just get home a bit earlier, so we can avoid this whole "problem"?

I'm glad it's sorted out.

I'm in a HA property, for about the last three years, if your getting work done and you ran the shop, the workmen would wait in the van. They will not be alone in a house with children.

Many firms have the same policy, because the law expects an Adult to have some responsibility towards a minor and the Workmen won't take that responsibility. It's up to you whether you leave them alone, that's different.

There has been big changes in Child law and Policies in the last five years.

Whathaveilost thankyou!! That's exactly what I was saying but was like I'd not said it! Since when do you change childcare to safeguard builders?? I did the same for a loft conversion it would have been simply undoable to find/pay for other care over that length of time.
Gobsmacked there isn't a more balanced view on this one tbh .