Concerns about children being left home alone have resulted in a 58 per cent increase in referrals in the south west according to the NSPCC.
Last year, the charity made 475 referrals to agencies or services in the area, addressing issues related to children being left unsupervised.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, the Helpline logged 7,802 contacts from concerned adults all over the UK, compared to 4,717 calls logged between 2022 and 2023.
The increase in calls and referrals may be due to several factors, including an NSPCC Helpline marketing campaign, greater capacity for service provision, and increased public awareness about the risks of leaving children unsupervised.
Throughout the summer break, many adults are left unsure about the readiness of their child to be left unsupervised.
The challenges increase in July and August as parents attempt to juggle work and childcare duties, especially amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
One adult caller shared their concern about their neighbours, they said: "It’s two little girls I’m worried about, they must be about four and six; they’re left home alone quite a lot and that means they’re unsupervised with the family’s dogs.
"I’ve knocked a few times to see if they’re ok and they always say, ‘daddy will be back soon’ but it’s usually hours later when one of the parents comes back."
While there is no legal age for leaving children home alone, the NSPCC advises against leaving any child under the age of 12 unsupervised for long periods.
Unsupervised children may feel scared or neglected.
A 14-year-old who contacted Childline said: "I’m sick of being left on my own, mum expects me to just look after myself.
"There isn’t always food I can cook, I can’t go and see my friends or do anything fun, but she can."
Kam Thandi, head of the NSPCC’s Helpline, said: "It can be hard for parents and carers to know the right age to leave their child home alone as every child is different, and the first time being left unsupervised will differ for every family."
She stressed the importance of both child and adult feeling comfortable with the decision and ensuring that a child knows how to contact a trusted adult in case of an emergency.
The NSPCC website provides tips for parents considering leaving their child alone at home.
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