Leaving children overnight - what age?

[LittleCarrot12]

I have a neighbour who I don’t know well but seems nice enough. Two children age 6&12. She qualified as a nurse last year and from what i can gather only works nights. If those nights fall mid week the kids are left alone.
The oldest goes out with friends and the 6 year old doesn’t like being in alone so comes out. Our street is very child friendly but all are in around 8pm on a school night, apart from this kid. He goes in when his brother comes home around 10pm.
Mum is home at 7-8 and takes them to school. Last night he fell and had a nasty cut - I cleaned it up but felt really uncomfortable.
WWYD? I know it’s hard for shift workers for childcare but this doesn’t feel safe? In winter both kids tend to just stay in but even then I feel 12 is too young for an overnight

I'd report to anyone and everyone. Social services, school, police. Both too young to be left.

There’s a six year old out on the street until 10pm with no supervision? This isn’t okay. Parent really needs to sort out childcare. I know it’s hard but I would contact social services about this.

It's far too young to leave kids unsupervised like that. Like 10 years too young for the 6 year old.
I'm pretty laid back, but I think it's completely unacceptable. I can scarcely believe anyone would do this.

Oh gosh, I would have said 16 for overnight, maybe 15 if DP is nearby and contactable. But certainly not responsible for a younger DC.

I assume mum thinks 12 year old has little brother. I have no idea if she knows he’s gone off with pals.

Absolutely report to social services. This is not ok, those poor children.

Do you know which school the little one attends? If so, I'd call today and ask to speak to the safeguarding lead there.
The 12 year old should not be out alone until 10pm, never mind the 6 year old and they're both far too young to be left overnight.

Of course this is not ok surprised anyone needs to ask

That's very young to be left alone. I'd be reporting this. If you've assumed wrong and there is someone staying with them at night then no harm done.

12 is too young especially to be responsible for a 6 year old. Can you please report this to social services.

The 12 year old is too young, never mind the 6 year old. NSPCC guidelines say 16 for overnight.

Definitely report to school and SS.

Social services won't be interested in a 12 year old being left but they will definitely want to know about the 6 year old, that's not safe.

Is your neighbour British btw? Leaving young children is much more accepted in many cultures/countries. When I was a support worker I had conversations with a few different families along the lines of "you can't do this in this country" and was sometimes met with genuine surprise. Social services may just need to do exactly that.

@Leafalotta They are British.

Thanks for advice everyone. I’m on good terms with school safeguarding lead and had a chat .

Sorry this one needs reporting to police and social services

This. Inform the police.

The 12 year old is being left overnight in charge of a 7 year old. It isnt the same as being left alone during the day. They absolutely will care.

Definitely not ok.

my oldest is 15 and I wouldn’t even leave him overnight at home. And even if I had to would not leave him to care for siblings.

I was left alone whilst my mum worked night shifts at around 11 and it was too young, I was scared. 6 is waaaay too young, report. It's a shame that childcare only exists between 8-6

Course they will be interested in a 12 year old left regularly overnight in charge of a younger sibling and then out in the community with no one knowing where or who with until late at night.

I don't leave my 16 year old alone overnight. 12 and 6 is way too young

I saw a nurse advertising for a live in lodger that had free rent but needed to stay home with kids of nights mum worked