Police answer debate over when an older brother or sister can legally babysit

Police answer debate over when an older brother or sister can legally babysit Police have clarified the rules around leaving children at home alone and when an older sibling can act as a babysitter Letting a child stay home without an adult for the first time can feel like a milestone, but it won’t suit every family or situation. When plans change at short notice - or a babysitter pulls out on the day - many parents start considering whether an older brother or sister could take over. That raises a key question: is there a legal minimum age for babysitting? Police have now offered guidance aimed at giving parents clarity and helping to settle the debate. On Ask The Police, a website administered by police forces around the UK, someone asked: "Is there a minimum legal age to be a babysitter?" The police responded: "No, there is no minimum legal age to be a babysitter. It is the responsibility of the parents to use common sense when making a decision regarding the welfare of their child. In all situations, parents should assess the suitability of the babysitter before you leave any children in their care." Police say parents could be 'prosecuted' Although there’s no set age for babysitting, experts caution that parents may still be held responsible if anything goes wrong. The police caution: "It is worth bearing in mind, that a child under 16 years old cannot be prosecuted for neglect or ill treatment of children in their care. "The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. However, any person who is aged 16 or over and who has responsibility for a child under that age could be prosecuted." Can I leave my child with their brother or sister? According to The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) - a leading children's charity in the UK - parents need to "think carefully about leaving your child alone with an older brother or sister. If they fall out, you won’t be around to make the peace." Things you could consider - Agree some house rules. - Do a trial run. Try leaving them together for a short period of time, while you're still close by, and build this up over time. - Leave them a list of contact numbers. Include all your contact numbers, friends or family members, any trusted neighbours and the emergency services. - Does one of your children have complex needs? Think carefully about whether your child needs adult supervision, in case something goes wrong and they need support. - Check your older child knows what to do in an emergency. And come up with a safety plan for them to follow when you aren't there. - Plan some activities for them to do while you're out. Both you and your children might feel more comfortable if they're focused on an activity – like watching a film or playing a board game. - How well do your children get on? Do they fight when you aren't there? Are they able to resolve a conflict between them peacefully? - Talk to your older child before leaving them in charge. Ask if they feel comfortable looking after their younger brother or sister alone. You shouldn't leave them in charge if they don't feel comfortable. How can I find a trusted babysitter? Instead of a sibling, it may be better to arrange for someone to stay with your child. This doesn't have to be an extra cost - family and friends that you know and trust may be able to help. If your children are younger, nurseries look after children up to school age. You can find a nursery school place on GOV.UK if you live in England or Wales, mygov.scot in Scotland and nicma.org in Northern Ireland. NSPCC says for parents in the following locations, it is worth looking into the below. Northern Ireland - Read NIDirect Government Service’s guide to choosing the right childcare for you and your family. - Find local service to support you and registered childcare options on Family Support NI. - Search for registered childminders on nicma.org. Scotland - Find a registered childminder on the Scottish Childminding Association. England - Follow the steps laid out in GOV.UK’s guide to getting the right childcare for your family. - Some SureStart centres provide early learning and full day care for pre-school children. - Search for registered childminders and babysitters on childcare.co.uk. Wales - Find guidance on childcare and helpful services on gov.wales/childcare-parenting. - Your local Family Information Service (FIS) provides free advice on childcare in your area. - They can also find out if you live in a Flying Start area, with services to help families with children under 4 years old in disadvantaged areas of Wales. What should I ask a babysitter or childminder? The charity advises parents to plan ahead for the support they’re likely to need and to check whether a babysitter or childminder will be available at those times. It also recommends asking if they’d be able to step in later on if your situation changes, or if you need last-minute cover. Where possible, keep the number of different caregivers to a minimum, so your child has time to settle, feel secure and build trust. Ask - Ask them how they'd deal with situations like your child refusing to go to bed, to check if you are comfortable with their methods. - Remember, there's nothing quite like a parent's intuition. If you've got any doubts at all about a possible babysitter, it's always best to find someone else. - Introduce them to your child, and even do a short trial run to check whether your child feels comfortable alone with them. - If they're a childminder, ask them what qualifications they have. - If they are a babysitter, ask for recommendations and reviews from past clients. If you're unsure, call and ask what their experience was like. Remember to leave them with - Medical information - Write down your children's allergies and any medical information about your child, and where medication is stored in case of emergency. - Contact numbers - Leave your babysitter or childminder with all your contact numbers, emergency service numbers, and specialist support numbers if required.