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Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from adults concerned about children being left home alone or unsupervised increased by 11% during the last financial year, according to new figures published by the charity.
The Helpline received 7,452 contacts relating to children being left alone between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, compared with 6,719 contacts during the previous financial year.
The data shows that 44% of contacts were considered sufficiently serious to warrant referrals to external agencies, including children's services and the police, for intervention or support. More than a third (35%) of these referrals involved children aged five and under.
The number of contacts peaked during the summer holiday period, with 793 contacts recorded in July and 871 in August. The NSPCC said school holidays can present significant challenges for parents and carers seeking to balance employment commitments with childcare responsibilities.
The figures have been released ahead of the summer break, when many families may be considering whether older children are ready to spend time at home without supervision.
The charity highlighted that there is no statutory minimum age at which a child can legally be left home alone in England and Wales. However, the NSPCC advises against leaving children under the age of 12 unsupervised and recommends that parents and carers take seriously any concerns expressed by children about being left alone.
Among those seeking advice from the Helpline was a parent who reported concerns that their seven-year-old and ten-year-old children had been left alone at night by their father while he went out running. The parent told the NSPCC that the younger child had become frightened about being locked in the home and that the incident was not believed to have been isolated.
Kam Thandi, Head of the Helpline at the NSPCC, said the long summer break can create considerable pressures for parents and carers trying to ensure children are safe while meeting work commitments.
She noted that some families may view leaving children at home alone as a practical solution but stressed that, even for children aged 12 and over, parents should ensure they feel confident and comfortable being left unsupervised. She said families should agree in advance how children will spend their time, discuss what they should do if problems arise, and maintain regular contact while parents or carers are away.
The NSPCC is encouraging parents and carers seeking advice about leaving children home alone to contact its Helpline or consult guidance available through its website. The charity recommends introducing periods of independent time gradually, beginning with short intervals and increasing the duration as children become more confident and able to manage being on their own.
The latest figures underline continuing concerns about child supervision and safeguarding, particularly during school holidays when families may face increased childcare pressures and limited access to alternative support arrangements.
