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Original poster

Single parent key worker - wfh - no provision!

69 replies

Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:07

I might get flamed for this, but I am very upset so please, please be kind!

But just been told I can't have key worker place as I can do my role from home. I'm a single parent to two primary aged children and work full time, very long hours in a full on job, not a chance I can supervise home learning and I work Monday to Friday.

Am I wrong to think I should still get key workers place?

OP posts:
LivingMyBestLife2020 · 05/01/2021 22:07

What is your role?

starrynight19 · 05/01/2021 22:08

Are you on the critical worker list posted by the government ?

Viviennemary · 05/01/2021 22:09

Who has said you can do your job from home. And who said you can't have a school place.

PicsInRed · 05/01/2021 22:12

Keyworker criteria for childcare provision does not require that you work outside the home.

Is your job on the critical jobs list? Do you have a critical worker letter from your employer?

3littlewords · 05/01/2021 22:15

Whilst I'm sorry for your situation there will be thousands of other families in the same position as you. It seems wfh means you can also supervise online learning too, its bonkers as the reality is obviously very different Confused

Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:15

Our school says key workers who can work from home can't have a space :( - yes my job is on the list of critical workers, but can be done at home.

OP posts:
Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:17

@3littlewords I know, it was hideous last time round and so bad for all our mental health. But I was in a more flexible role and able to work very early hours, not this time as new role is 9-5 Monday to Friday and no flexibility :(

OP posts:
SpinningWheelOfFortune · 05/01/2021 22:17

Well do you have to tell them you can do it from home? As far as I understood if you're on the government list then you meet the criteria for a place.

Dereg · 05/01/2021 22:18

I think they expect you to work crazy hours, like 06.00-09.00 & 19.00-23.00, when actually you can't Sad

Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:18

@starrynight19 yes I am on Government website list

OP posts:
longdarkwinter · 05/01/2021 22:19

Is this a role which has confidential discussions?
If it is then having dc in the house isn't appropriate.
That is discussion you could have with the school.

Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:19

@spinningwheeloffortune I don't want to lie, or put my kids in a position where they had to lie if they were questioned by school staff.

OP posts:
nex18 · 05/01/2021 22:20

How does the school know how you can do your job? Is your employer not providing you with a letter saying you’re a keyworker and eligible for a school place? If not, can you ask for one?

Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:20

@longdarkwinter not really.

OP posts:
mellongoose · 05/01/2021 22:21

Schools are not supposed to be limiting places. There is no limit of 15 on class sizes this time. If you are a key worker your children should be at school.
Your MP can go into bat for you.

minipie · 05/01/2021 22:21

They must have loads of parents claiming places. Who are they giving spaces to if not a single parent KW?? Presumably they are not giving spaces to two parent families where only one is a KW?

Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:21

@nex18 yes I am definitely a key worker but the school says the local council needs parent to work out of the home. If you can work from home, even as a key worker, then you can't have a space :( I was really surprised. Maybe UK Government is different.

OP posts:
minipie · 05/01/2021 22:22

Yes agree email your MP.

StealthRoast · 05/01/2021 22:22

Have the school asked you this or have you disclosed it voluntarily?

Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:23

@minipie at my school they say either both key worker parents work out of the home or single parent key worker work out of the home. Not WTH. I don't think it makes sense really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Scottishmum1984 · 05/01/2021 22:23

@stealthroast they asked us if we could work from home and I was honest.

OP posts:
3littlewords · 05/01/2021 22:24

[quote Scottishmum1984]@3littlewords I know, it was hideous last time round and so bad for all our mental health. But I was in a more flexible role and able to work very early hours, not this time as new role is 9-5 Monday to Friday and no flexibility :([/quote]
I was like this first lockdown next to no school work got done , its nigh on impossible! Just do what you can when you can, at the end of the day all your mental wellbeings is a higher priority than anything else.

spaceghetto · 05/01/2021 22:24

I really, really feel for you and hope you manage to get things sorted.

rolliy · 05/01/2021 22:24

I think you should & you would in the school I work in & my dc go to.

minipie · 05/01/2021 22:25

Ok so they are saying if there is any parent at home then no place.

That isn’t government policy and in your shoes I would speak to your MP.

I know some schools have so many KW parents they would be almost full if they gave all of them a place so they are trying ro ration KW spaces. Might that be the case at your school? Even if it is, I would hope your MP could help.