Cale green primary School Family Forum Friday 23rd September 2016 Walking Home alone Cale green primary School Family Forum Friday 23rd September 2016

Quick Questions? At what age were you allowd to walk to school on your own? At what age do you think that children should walk home on their own? At what age will you let your children walk home on their own? What will you do when you child starts High School?

Walking Home Alone When a child starts at the school, parents/carers s are given information on the school day and routines, as well as expectations around punctuality and of drop off and collection of children

Parents/carers should made aware of any other relevant policies/guidance in place, in accordance with the school’s child protection policy, including information relating to: children walking to/from school alone a sibling accompanying a child to/from school on a parent’s behalf what will happen if the parents/carers are late to collect their child what will happen if the parents/carers fail to collect their child what will happen if parents/carers are not considered able to offer safe care of their child (e.g. due to drugs/alcohol/poor mental health)

Home School Agreement? Would it be beneficial to include all of these areas within the home-school agreement which parents/carers are then asked to sign. Then, if a related issue should then arise, it gives a framework to address this by working in partnership with the parents.

The information we ask for When a child begins at the school, parents/carers supply key information such as: Names and full addresses of parents/carers (including confirmation of parental responsibility/ private fostering arrangements and copies of any legal orders) Information about any person who has been denied legal access to the child (and copies of any relevant legal orders etc) Home address and telephone number/s Place of work and work telephone number/s Mobile phone numbers where appropriate Emergency contacts who may be called in the event of the parents/carers being unobtainable or in the case of an emergency We regularly ask families to make sure the registration details are kept up-to-date

The legal requirements There is no set legal age that children can walk to and from school independently or be left on their own. It is an offence, however, to leave a child alone if it places them at risk and therefore schools have a continual obligation to alert relevant authorities if they believe this is the case. This could, theoretically, include the school journey.

Advice is available The NSPCC offers advice on how to assess if a child is ready to be out and about alone here: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/staying-safe-away-from-home/ They offer advice for parents on leaving children home alone here: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/leaving-child-home-alone/

If parents choose to let their child travel to/from school independently, then they should assess the risks associated with the school route and their own child’s confidence. Parents should work with their children to build up their independence, while walking to and from school together, through route finding, road safety skills and general awareness. The most important factor to consider about suitability of a child walking to/from school alone is any risk to the child. Good practice would be to have a discussion with parents about the school’s view and identify alternative options if necessary, e.g. another parent taking the child home.

Your thoughts The school to write to parents informing them that children up to Year 5 are not allowed to walk home on their own The school to write to parents with information about the law The school to provide parents with access to information from the NSPCC Require parents to sign a consent form for those children who are allowed to walk home on their own

Final thoughts and comments