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Original poster

Parents who cannot work from home and whose children are off from school self isolating, what are you doing about childcare?

21 replies

JKRowlingIsMyQueen · 30/09/2020 16:11

Just that really

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/09/2020 16:15

Hasn't happened yet thankfully but if we have to isolate my employer has said he will pay me, or as I get tax credits I think I can claim the government £500.

If schools close again I have no idea what I will do.

Debradoyourecall · 30/09/2020 18:58

I can technically work from home but in practice that’s impossible with a reception child and baby, so husband and I are sharing the childcare by working half a day each.

PotteringAlong · 30/09/2020 19:08

If it happens I will just have to tell the head that I cannot come to school for one week and DH will have to tell his head that he cannot go to school for the next one.

Watermelon999 · 30/09/2020 19:32

Has happened once and left dc15 home alone, couldn’t leave the other 2 so would have to be off 1 week and dh 1 week. Haven’t dared ask whether would get paid or not, but presume not (nhs). May have to take unpaid or work hours back? May get 1 day carers leave. Any other nhs know?

lacylass · 30/09/2020 19:47

I'm having to take unpaid leave from my headship which is putting a strain on the other leaders and teachers in my school. We already have another two teachers, two TA's and a cleaner also in isolation, anymore and we will be thinking of closure as we won't be able to safely staff.

I will try and attend unavoidable, important meetings virtually from home...Child in Need meetings etc.

My DH will take unpaid leave for the second week from his teaching job but again try and support the school at times with home learning.

JanewaysBun · 30/09/2020 19:49

I can technically WFH however I've got a 1 and 2 yo who never sleep Hmm not really sure what I will do!

PinotLovesMomma · 01/10/2020 04:05

@Waxonwaxoff0

Hasn't happened yet thankfully but if we have to isolate my employer has said he will pay me, or as I get tax credits I think I can claim the government £500.

If schools close again I have no idea what I will do.

You only get the £500 if you yourself is contacted by test and trace to isolate or its you/your ds that tests positive, you wouldn't be eligible for it if your son is off school to isolate because his bubble burst. And you can only ever claim it once. If dc are off multiple times I honestly don't know how people are meant to cope financially, I can't see employers paying full pay for parents regularly having to take time off for childcare when the children are sent home to isolate.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/10/2020 06:02

@PinotLovesMomma I see, thanks for clarifying. I think my employer would pay as a one off but I don't think they'd be pleased at having to do it all the time. Thankfully we are in a low infection area, none of the local schools have been affected yet so all I can do is keep my fingers crossed.

ChangingStates · 01/10/2020 06:27

@lacylass I am surprised your leave is unpaid- are you an academy? Our school are clear that staff should not be penalised for COVID related absence and will be paid- my understanding is this is a directive from government.

ginsparkles · 01/10/2020 06:39

If it happens I will be at home and will be paid SSP.

Monkeytapper · 01/10/2020 07:06

If the class bubble has burst and that’s why they are self isolating I would have to ask DD friends ( same class) parents who WFH if they can have her under ‘informal childcare’ as I can’t WFH. Otherwise unpaid parental leave or take rest of my holidays until they run out.

Barbie222 · 01/10/2020 07:16

[quote ChangingStates]@lacylass I am surprised your leave is unpaid- are you an academy? Our school are clear that staff should not be penalised for COVID related absence and will be paid- my understanding is this is a directive from government.[/quote]
Unpaid leave is the norm for dependents, for most people it's only ssp if it's you with the symptoms

SmallestInTheClass · 01/10/2020 08:39

My DH is in this position and would be able to take unpaid leave.

AvoidingRealHumans · 01/10/2020 08:55

I am in this position now, I am on unpaid leave.
If this happens more then the reality is that I'd be better off quitting my job so I can get help with my rent.

Waxonwaxoff, I don't think the £500 isolation payment would stand as it isn't you that needs to isolate it is your child. That's what I've gathered from looking into it, happy to be told I'm wrong.

lacylass · 01/10/2020 22:34

There is a limit on unpaid leave.
We have insurance too but can only afford for cover that kicks in after a certain length of time.
School budgets are always so tight and these absences would cripple us.

divafever99 · 01/10/2020 23:17

This happened to us last week, luckily I was able to work from home. I was speaking to another mum today who's employer said the only option was for her to take annual leave. She now has 4 hours left to last her til April! No idea what she will do next time round. This really isn't sustainable, I see many working parents of primary school aged children will be forced to give up work.

ceeveebee · 01/10/2020 23:20

@Monkeytapper

If the class bubble has burst and that’s why they are self isolating I would have to ask DD friends ( same class) parents who WFH if they can have her under ‘informal childcare’ as I can’t WFH. Otherwise unpaid parental leave or take rest of my holidays until they run out.
Pretty sure that is unfortunately not allowed as an option
winetime89 · 01/10/2020 23:33

@Watermelon999

Has happened once and left dc15 home alone, couldn’t leave the other 2 so would have to be off 1 week and dh 1 week. Haven’t dared ask whether would get paid or not, but presume not (nhs). May have to take unpaid or work hours back? May get 1 day carers leave. Any other nhs know?
Have a google for the policy for the particular trust you work for. At mine it says we get 5 carers days (pro rate) plus another 3 but it says the other three are where there is no other alternative ( I think they are at managers discretion )
LemonTT · 01/10/2020 23:33

@Watermelon999

Has happened once and left dc15 home alone, couldn’t leave the other 2 so would have to be off 1 week and dh 1 week. Haven’t dared ask whether would get paid or not, but presume not (nhs). May have to take unpaid or work hours back? May get 1 day carers leave. Any other nhs know?
There is quite a lot of options within the NHS contracts. You should check with the trust policy. There will be discretion clauses but generally if you speak to the union and HR they will swing the decision in your favour.
treefallingdown · 02/10/2020 06:53

NHS here too and we've been told that even though we are front line and don't wfh - we will be given work to do from home (that won't have anything to do with our jobs probably but that's fine) so we can still be paid as normal. If we don't want to do that it's a Carers leave day as normal then annual leave or unpaid leave.

Kitcat122 · 02/10/2020 07:01

I work in a school paid for me but unpaid if its my children.

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