Age to leave child home alone?

[BigRedLondonBus]

I know this has been done to death but after something that happened on Friday it did make me wonder. Dd has been off school with chicken pox so hasn’t been at school. In the mornings my sister will come round (lives 5 minutes away from me) and sit with dd till I get back. For some reason my son went to school on Friday and told a teacher I leave dd alone in the mornings. I’m not sure what was said or if it was taken out of context as in “mum leaves her at home” was taken to mean alone.

Anyway on Friday I was taken to a room by my sons teacher and the deputy head and confronted with this, dd was actually right there with me. Chickenpox were looking better and crusted over I was asked if I leave her home alone. I said no but was told that the head teacher had already(!!) informed social services. I was pretty god smacked as I don’t understand why they did that without talking to me first.

For context the school is less than a mile away (about 10/15 mins walk) and dd is 8. Even though I didn’t leave her home alone I don’t actually think there is anything wrong with it and I’ve looked online and it seems it’s not illegal and down to the parents so I don’t get why social services have been informed. AIBU in thinking this is ott?

It sounds as though you have nothing to worry about if you didn't leave her alone. School are doing their job to safeguard your children and have probably been over keen due to previous SS involvement. I've had previous as involvement due to suffering dv and I'd be happy that school were on the ball. Surely if things are as you say there's no need to worry?

My oldest who is nearly 10 bikes much faster than me. He grabs the house keys and a mobile phone from me and takes himself home after school a good 20-30minutes before I get home. He calls me to say his home. He locks the door behind him. I think 9 is a good age to start giving small bits of independence they start secondary next year.

@icecream andcandyfloss
the NSPCC say children under 12 should not be left for long periods of time it does not say should not be left at all or should not be left for a short period,
I would class 10-30 minutes as a short period for an 8 year,getting upto 2-3 hours by age 11/ 12

most 11-12 years olds are in high school and may often be coming home to an empty home until parents get back from work at 6pm, this is generally not seen as a problem by anyone so working backwards from this I would think 1-2 hours for a 10 year old; upto an hour for a 9 year old, and under 7 I think a few minutes while putting the bin out, taking a parcel to next door etc walking to post box if close, under 5 not really at all out of the house but they should be ok in house while you have a shower, take a private phone call in another room or go into garden to collect washing etc or them in garden while you are indoors

The previous ss involvement was when dd was a baby so I don’t think the school would know about that. I just feel like they’ve gone in all guns blazing even if I have nothing to worry about. Same way I wouldn’t want to be stopped and searched even though I have nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t say I’m glad the school have been on the ball as I actually don’t think leaving an 8 year home alone is something to report to social services.

Well when they contact you you'll be able to explain and perhaps seek clarification as to why they've been contacted if leaving an 8 year old is ok (even if you didn't.) You seem quite defensive about it and have no need to be as your sister was looking after dd, wasn't she?

Why are you cross with the school? If you had a sitter for the younger two then there's nothing to worry about. They took what your son confided in them as the truth, as they should, and dealt with it accordingly.

I suspect if this is isolated ss will have much bigger fish to fry! My 8 year old would be fine on his own if I had to take his sister to school when he was ill but he wouldn't like to be left yet. He will be allowed to walk to school alone once he is in year 4. Most of the kids round here are.

I don't think it's dangerous or neglectful to leave an 8 year old in these circumstances but you didnt even leave her so its just ridiculous that the school have got involved.