Babysitters
Baby Sitting & Home Alone
Rating: 
Baby Sitting
No age is specified for a minimum age of a babysitter (although 14 is often quoted). Common sense must apply, with the baby sitter being able to look after both themselves and the child.
Home Alone
There are no legal guidelines regarding the age at which a child can be left at home alone. The rule of thumb is that the child should be able to look after itself, and common sense therefore applies.
Children & Young Persons Act 1933
It is worth bearing in mind that in the event of a child being seriously injured while being looked after, or left on its own, an offence may have been committed under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. This applies to anyone OVER the age of 16 who has responsibility for a child under that age and wilfully neglects, abandons or exposes the child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health. A child under the age of 16 cannot be prosecuted.
Any enquiries concerning Child minding; registration, qualifications etc should be referred to the local Social Services Office.
Further information may be found on the Police National FAQ site at www.askthepolice.co.uk, please note that some national advice may differ from Sussex Police policies and procedures. |
