Is my child ready to be out alone? Is my child ready to be left alone?
As your child gets older it’s likely they’ll want a bit more independence. Going out without you is a natural step for them to take when the time is right. We can help you work out when your child is ready and, most importantly, help you to keep them safe.
Can my child go out without me?
Just like staying home alone, there is no legal age limit for a child going out alone. A lot of the advice that goes with being home alone – like making sure your child can cope – applies to going out.
Can my child go out without me? Can your child deal with risks? Will they behave responsibly? Is it safe to be out late, for example? These are all things you need to consider when you make a decision.
What are they planning to do?
There’s a big difference between walking to the corner shop and going into town.
So think about:
- where your child wants to go
- what they want to do
- who they’ll be with
- how far they would have to travel.
PDF Download
Download the NSPCC Need to know guide ‘Is my child ready to go out alone’.
NSPCC Is my child ready to go out alone?
Is my child ready to be left alone?
As your child gets older, they’ll often want to have a little more independence. But how can you make sure they’re safe when they’re not with you?
At some point, every parent will have to spend some time away from their child. Work, appointments and family commitments can mean that there are lots of places you have to be. You may even need to take a break and grab some ‘me’ time.
This guide can help you decide what’s best for your child, prepare them for being home alone, and make sure they’re safe.
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PDF Download
Download the NSPCC Need to know guide ‘Is my child ready to be left alone?’
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