Leaving child on their own over night

[Picapic]

Hi all,
looking for some advice and maybe contacts who could help. I’m not a parent myself but have a great little niece. My brother is raising her by himself because her mom left them both shortly after the little one was born. She hasn’t been involved at all since then.
My brother loves his daughter dearly but I think she is often left alone for long periods of time. I take her when possible but I know that she is sometimes left alone over night. I’ve tried to explain to my brother that he can’t do this because she will be scared and might not be safe but I think he doesn’t get it. We grew up in a very dysfunctional family and I was practically raised by my brother. He thinks that she will be ok because he was but I disagree. I struggle from anxiety and depression myself and I think it is partially because of the way we grew up.

Im looking for some practical advice how to help more, and how to make him realise the impact that all of this might have on his daughter. She is soon turning 8 btw.
Thank you.

Shes too young to be left on her own in the house at night. Do you live close enough to him that you could stay over when he has to work nights?

On the fire note. A disproportionate amount of children are found in their bed during fires as standard fire alarms don't emit a sound that is capable of waking them. There are studies to find a frequency that will wake more children.

If the assumption that they will get out in a fire as there is a working smoke alarm isn't necessarily true

Thank you for this. I'm going to look into a better smoke alarm for home. DS (14) is often home alone (not overnight yet) and has earphones on.

I'm glad you're going to look for help. No it 100% is no OK that he leaves her alone over night!! You know that, she needs to be the priority here and to be protected. God only knows what could happen

If you give the nspcc any identifying information they will pass it on to social services.