Lesson Three - Latchkey Children

• What is CPS?
• Criteria
• CPS Response
• Categories
• Investigation
• Latchkey Children
• CC Partnership
• Creating Policies
• Family Court

Latchkey Children

In today's economy, with both parents working, the proper supervision of children is a widespread problem. The Child Protection Law of Michigan does not set a specific age after which a child can legally stay alone. Age alone is not a very good indicator of a child's maturity level. Some very mature 10 year-olds may be ready for self-care while some 15 year-olds may not be ready due to emotional problems or behavioral difficulties. In determining whether a child is capable of being left alone and whether a parent is providing adequate supervision in latchkey situations, it is important to assess several factors before assuming it is a situation of child neglect. These factors include:

• Child's Level of maturity. Is the child physically capable of taking care of him or herself; mentally capable of recognizing and avoiding danger and making sound decisions; emotionally ready to be alone and knows what to do and whom to call if an emergency arises? (It is important to note that a child who can take care of him or herself may not be ready to care for younger children.
• Accessibility of those responsible for the child. What is the location and proximity of the parents, can they be reached by phone and get home quickly if needed, and does the child know the parent's location and how to reach them?
• The situation. Does the parent have access to an after-school program but doesn't use it? What time of day and length of time is the child left alone? How safe is the home or neighborhood? Have the parents arranged for nearby adults to be available in case a problem arises? Is there a family history of child abuse or neglect?

Sometimes, as a mandated reporter, you will observe questionable situations which, in the end, do not require a call to FIA. This is frequently the case for latchkey children. However, even if you don't need to call FIA, that doesn't mean you can't take another kind of action. In your role as a child welfare professional, you may be able to locate help for families. Parents simply may need a referral to an after-school program or to some other source of reliable child care. The Child Care Coordinating Council of Oakland County, 248-681-9192, can assist parents in locating child care in communities in Oakland County. Other counties have similar resources and you can be the liaison for families with which you have contact.

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