Alarming Surge: NSPCC Reports 58% Increase in Referrals for Unsupervised Children in the South West

The NSPCC has reported a worrying 58% increase in referrals about children being left home alone or unsupervised in the South West of England over the past year.

Dramatic Rise in Referrals

Between April 2023 and March 2024, the NSPCC Helpline made 475 referrals to local agencies or services in the South West regarding concerns about children being left home alone. This marks a significant rise from the 300 referrals made in the previous 12 months. Nationally, the Helpline received 7,802 contacts about this issue last year, compared to 4,717 the year before.

The rise in referrals could be attributed to several factors, including increased public awareness due to a recent NSPCC Helpline marketing campaign, enhanced service capacity, and growing concerns about the risks of leaving children unsupervised.

Summertime Struggles for Parents

As schools in England break up for the summer holidays, many parents are grappling with the challenge of balancing work and childcare. The cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated these difficulties, forcing some parents to work longer hours or take on additional jobs.

Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC’s Helpline, highlighted the complexities parents face: “It can be hard for parents and carers to know the right age to leave their child home alone as every child is different, and the first time being left unsupervised will differ for every family.”

Real-life Concerns

A troubling example of the kind of cases being reported to the Helpline involved a neighbour’s concern for two young girls, aged 4 and 6, who were frequently left alone with the family’s dogs. The neighbour recounted, “I’ve knocked a few times to see if they’re ok and they always say, ‘daddy will be back soon’ but it’s usually hours later when one of the parents comes back.”

Children left alone can experience fear and neglect, emphasised by a 14-year-old who told Childline: “I’m sick of being left on my own, mum expects me to just look after myself. There isn’t always food I can cook, I can’t go and see my friends or do anything fun, but she can.”

NSPCC’s Advice and Support

The NSPCC advises against leaving any child under the age of 12 home alone, particularly for extended periods. It’s crucial that children left unsupervised have contact numbers for a parent, carer, or trusted adult and know what to do in an emergency.

For parents who must leave their children alone, the NSPCC website offers tips to ensure the child feels safe, including a quiz to assess if a child is ready to be left unsupervised.

Kam Thandi added, “It is vital that both the child and adult feel comfortable with any decision that is taken, and that if a young person is to be left home alone they know how to contact a trusted adult and what to do in an emergency.”

How to Seek Help

Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline at 0808 800 5000, email help@NSPCC.org.uk, or complete a report abuse online form. Childline is available for young people via phone at 0800 1111 and online for a 121 chat on the Childline website. For more information and advice on leaving children home alone, visit the NSPCC website.

About the NSPCC

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity, dedicated to ending child abuse. With over 80% of its funding coming from voluntary donations, the NSPCC helps abused children rebuild their lives, protects those at risk, and works to prevent abuse. The NSPCC’s Childline service offers confidential support to children 24/7, and the NSPCC Helpline provides advice and support to adults concerned about a child’s wellbeing.