Children as young as five among cases referred to authorities as concerns grow over youngsters left home alone

As schools prepare to close for the summer holidays, the NSPCC is warning parents and carers to think carefully before leaving children home alone after a significant rise in reports from worried adults across the UK.

The children’s charity says its Helpline handled 7,452 contacts between April 2025 and March 2026 from people concerned about children being left alone or unsupervised – an 11% increase on the 6,719 contacts recorded the previous year.

The figures have prompted renewed calls for parents and carers to seek advice if they are unsure whether a child is ready to be left without adult supervision, particularly as many families face the challenge of balancing childcare and work commitments during the six-week summer break.

More than two-fifths of all contacts received by the NSPCC Helpline were considered serious enough to warrant a referral to external agencies such as children’s services or the police.

Thousands of concerns raised

Of the 7,452 contacts received by the Helpline, 44% resulted in referrals to outside agencies with a view to intervention or support being provided.

The charity said the figures reveal the scale of concern among members of the public who fear some children may be at risk when left without appropriate supervision.

Particularly concerning is the age of some of the children involved. More than a third (35%) of referrals made in relation to children being left alone or unsupervised involved youngsters aged five and under.

The highest number of contacts were recorded during the summer months, with 793 concerns raised in July and a further 871 in August.

The NSPCC believes this reflects the additional pressures many families face during school holidays, when regular childcare arrangements may not be available.

Northern Ireland concern highlights risks

Among the concerns reported to the Helpline was a case involving a child in Northern Ireland.

A neighbour contacted the NSPCC after repeatedly seeing a 10-year-old boy spending long periods unsupervised in a playground during the school holidays.

The adult expressed concern that the child was often alone, sometimes remained there until the evening and occasionally spoke with passing adults, raising fears he could become vulnerable to exploitation.

The NSPCC stresses that examples shared from Helpline contacts are based on real situations but have been anonymised and altered to protect the identities of those involved.

No legal age limit – but guidance remains clear

While there is no specific legal age at which a child can be left home alone in the UK, the NSPCC advises that children under the age of 12 should not generally be left unsupervised.

The charity also emphasises that parents should carefully consider a child’s maturity, confidence and feelings before making any decision.

If a child expresses anxiety or discomfort about being left alone, those concerns should be taken seriously.

Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC Helpline, said many parents and carers face difficult decisions during the summer months.

“For many parents and carers, the long summer break can be a logistical nightmare, as they try to balance keeping their children safe and cared for with the demands of work.

“Managing these pressures may lead some to consider whether leaving their child at home alone is a practical solution.

“Even for children aged 12 and over, it’s important to make sure they feel confident about being left by themselves, and to agree in advance what they will be doing while the parent or carer is away and what they should do if anything goes wrong.”

Advice for parents and carers

The NSPCC has issued practical guidance for families considering leaving older children at home unsupervised.

The charity recommends talking through possible scenarios beforehand, including what a child should do if someone knocks at the door or if an emergency occurs.

Parents and carers should ensure children have access to important contact numbers, including emergency services and trusted family members or friends.

It also advises agreeing clear rules about activities while alone at home, particularly around potentially risky tasks such as cooking.

Parents should tell children when they expect to return, keep them updated if plans change and maintain regular contact while away.

For children who are being left alone for the first time, the NSPCC recommends starting with short periods of around 20 minutes before gradually increasing the time as confidence grows.

Support available over the summer

With the school holidays approaching, the NSPCC is encouraging any parent or carer who is unsure about leaving a child alone to seek advice before making a decision.

The charity has additional guidance and a readiness quiz available on its website to help families assess whether a child is prepared to remain unsupervised.

Adults concerned about the welfare of a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by email at help@NSPCC.org.uk.

Young people who need support can contact Childline free on 0800 1111 or access confidential online support through the service’s website.

As summer holiday pressures begin to build for families across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, the NSPCC is urging parents to put children’s safety, confidence and wellbeing at the centre of any decision about leaving them home alone.