Overview

• UK law sets no fixed age for babysitters or leaving a child home alone but prohibits unsupervised care that endangers safety.
• The NSPCC advises that children under 12 should never be left alone and warns that under-16 babysitters cannot hold legal responsibility for harm.
• Parents remain legally accountable for a child’s welfare when hiring inexperienced caregivers, risking neglect charges if unprepared sitters cause harm.
• NSPCC helpline contacts surged ahead of this summer, with 6,719 calls logged last year and 525 referrals in the East of England.
• The charity urges parents to draft clear safety plans, conduct trial calls, and consult local councils for support services for children with disabilities.