Central Scotland Police

Babysitters and 'home alone' children

Is there a minimum age for a babysitter to look after a child and at what age can children be legally left at home alone?

There is no specific minimum age for a babysitter (although 16 is often quoted). Parents or carers must adopt a common sense policy, with the babysitter being able to look after both himself / herself and the child.

Similarly, 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 himself / herself. Again, common sense should apply.

Having said that, under the Children and Young Person (Scotland) Act, 1937 it is an offence for anyone over the age of 16, who has responsibility for a child under that age to willfully assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon or expose the child. This may include bullying, frightening or causing suffering or injury to the child's health.