DC left home alone

[mumof2sc]

Posting here for traffic really but...
I have 2 DC aged 5&8.
I have shared custody (50/50) with my exH.

DC have revealed today that they are often left home alone in the mornings while he takes his younger DS to nursery. They've told me they eat their breakfast and then go to the living room and have instructions not to answer the door.
I also have concerned about the fact they tell me they often walk the dog with just their older step sibling who is 12. Both of them have had different (minor) injuries when they've been doing this. It's also not the best area and let's just say there are a lot of unsavoury characters around where he lives.

I'm not at all happy about this and would absolutely never leave my children home alone even if it is just for 10/15 minutes.
I don't have the best relationship with exH (despite my best efforts, he's just not prepared to be civil) and as a result i don't feel I can raise this with him as I know how he will react. I also don't want the kids getting it in the neck when they go back to him.

The 50/50 arrangement has been in place since we separated and I hate it. I'd never stop him seeing his children but I feel he's making decisions that are not in their best interests.
AIBU? Is this an over reaction on my part? If not, WTF do I do?

@steppemum

I work in safeguarding.

There is so much rubbish being spouted on this thread.

1. It is not illegal. In England there is no legal lower age limit, the law is about whether or not the children are safe. But that does not mean that it is considered to be OK.

The NSPCC guidelines give the guidelines which are considered to be safe. For a 5 year old that would be never at any time. For an 8 year old, it would be maybe 5-10 minutes while you close by - neighbour, corner shop etc. For a 12 year old, a couple of hours. For uynder 16 not overnight.

All if those are also dependant on situation and circumstances.

Anyone saying they did this, or their parents did this, or you can do this in another country, that is not the point.

1. The police and SS would respond. They would investigate an 8 and 5 year old. What they do next will depend on a lot of things around the family.

OP - I agree that he does not sound as if he will listen to you. YOu need it to come from an authority figure. You have a choice, phone SS yourself. Phone school, and say you fully expect them to phone SS, but he will not listen to you, and you don't want your name on the report as there will be repercussions on you. Or phone the police, and say you will not give your name. If SS come back to you, you can explain that that is what you have done.

This is perfect sense. I wonder what nspcc would make of 5 year old in particular and an 8 year old being 'supervised' on a walk with a 12 year old

@mumof2sc
Have you managed to get anything sorted now or reported them?