[quote FrameyMcFrame]@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants
Thanks.
I don't think it's safe to leave an 11 year old alone because if something went wrong I'd be legally culpable
[/quote]
@FrameyMcFrame
Obviously it's your choice when he's ready to be left at home, but this is from the Govt Website
The law on leaving your child on their own
^The law does not say an age when you can leave a child on their own, but it’s an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk.
Use your judgement on how mature your child is before you decide to leave them alone, for example at home or in a car^
An NT 11 yo at home alone, is not placing them 'at risk'. A 2 yo yes.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) says:
children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time
children under 16 should not be left alone overnight
babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’.
A hour or two is not 'a long period of time'
Legally you would be fine, but obviously it's up to you when you think he's ready, but y7 children often walk/bus to/from school on their own & are at home alone until a parent gets gone & often home alone in the holidays.
An hour when you go shopping really isn't long.
But obviously your child, your choice, but I would not be very surprised to get 'looks' from people in the supermarket.
Look after yourself x