It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to ensure that their child is dropped off and collected by a responsible person if it is not safe for the child to walk home unsupervised (Years 5&6 with permission). There is no minimum age set in law when a young person is allowed to remain in charge of another child; however, it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. This can include ‘in the care of an older sibling’ if the level of supervision is ‘likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’ (Children and Young Persons Act). Therefore parents/carers must understand and be prepared to take responsibility for anything that should go wrong in their absence. Parents are also responsible for the care and safety of their eldest child, even while that child is acting in a caring role for younger siblings.

At Shawley Community Primary Academy, we allow siblings aged 16 and over to drop off or collect a child providing that this form has been completed; however, in exceptional circumstances allowances could possibly be made to allow someone under the age of 16 but above the age of 12. This would need to be in writing and agreed with the Principal.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the NSPCC recommend that no one under 16 should be left to care for a younger child for more than a short period of time. The school reserves the right to refuse to allow a person under the age of 16 to take responsibility for accompanying a pupil to or from school should we have any concerns about that person’s suitability to do so. The suitability of a sibling, or other young adult, caring for a younger child will be considered on a case by case basis, by making a judgement of the potential risks of this arrangement; the maturity of the child collecting/being collected; the length and nature of the journey home, the behaviour and relationship of the children collecting/being collected.