NSPCC reveals fears over children in Black Country and Staffordshire being left home alone

The referrals came in the wake of calls and emails from members of the public worried about children left home alone.

Ahead of the summer holidays, children’s charity bosses have confirmed specialist counsellors on its 24-hour Helpline made 119 referrals in 2016-17 to local agencies in the region.

Of these, 44 referrals were made to authorities in Staffordshire, 28 in Sandwell, 19 in Dudley, 15 in Walsall and 13 in Wolverhampton.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: “Deciding if a child is ready to be left on their own can be a very difficult decision and the summer holidays can be a difficult time for parents and carers as they face increasing childcare pressures.

“Although there is no minimum age, no child should be left on their own if there is any risk they will come to harm.

“Children mature at their own rate so it’s really important parents think carefully about what is right for their child.

“Children shouldn’t be left on their own if they are not happy with being left, or if they don’t know what to do in an emergency.”

Although the law does not give a minimum age at which children can be left on their own, parents and carers can be prosecuted for neglect if children are put at risk of suffering or injury.

Worried callers to the NSPCC Helpline across the UK have reported children being left alone overnight and young children left to feed themselves and use dangerous kitchen equipment.

One caller said: “They’re leaving the kids alone at all hours of the day, from early in the morning until late at night.

"They have to fend for themselves and make their own meals and use the cooker and other dangerous kitchen equipment.

"When I go round to check on them they pretend that their mum is in the house, but I don’t believe she is. I never see her.”

In addition to the referred contacts, last year there were a further 21 calls and emails from people in the region seeking advice about children being left home alone.

Charity chiefs warned that although a child may seem responsible enough to be left alone without supervision, parents and carers should think carefully whether they would be able to cope with unexpected situations such as an emergency, a stranger calling at the house, being hungry or if the parent is away for longer than they thought.

The NSPCC has urged parents to read its home alone guide which includes questions they should ask themselves and their children before deciding to leave a child unsupervised.

To help parents and carers who may be considering whether or not to leave their child on their own for the first time this summer, the NSPCC has issued guidance on leaving children home alone on its website.

The NSPCC’s helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 800 5000 for free and confidential advice.