Babysitters typically look after children while parents go out for an evening or afternoon.  There is no legal minimum age but the NSPCC says they should be older than 16.  If you use a babysitter under 16 and the child is injured in their care, you may be held responsible.  So choose babysitters carefully and ask for references if you do not know the person well. 

The leaflet ‘Home Alone’ advises parents looking for babysitters. It is published by the NSPCC and is available from your local Family Information Service. If you have a local babysitting circle nearby, you can share babysitting with other parents.

To contact your Family Information Service please call 01685 727400 or email FIS@merthyr.gov.uk