NSPCC guidance (full text via link) on when it is safe to leave children at home alone is available through the link on the right.

There are many important things to consider before you decide to leave a child alone. These include:

• the age of the child
• the child's level of maturity and understanding
• the place where the child will be left
• how long the child will be left alone, and how often
• whether or not there are any other children in the household

As an example, most parents would think it’s OK to leave a sixteen-year-old alone for the evening, but to leave them for a week would be unacceptable.

Many young children play outdoors with other children without a parent or carer being present. As they are unsupervised, they are 'alone', but most people would agree that this is an important part of growing up.

You are the best judge of your child’s level of maturity and responsibility.