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Original poster

Childcare for DS with COVID

34 replies

catchingzzzeds · 06/12/2021 08:32

What do I do in this situation?
DS has COVID, I know I'm allowed to go to work but as he's only 9 he'll need looking after, usually my ex (dad) and I would share the care but can DS leave the house by car to go to his dads whilst I go to work?

OP posts:
HeyBlaby · 06/12/2021 08:33

Is this a reverse? A joke?

Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 06/12/2021 08:51

No it's not Confused

OP posts:
ColettesEarrings · 06/12/2021 08:59

If you've absolutely no other option and not doing so would mean losing all your pay or even your job, then I'd probably do it. But it's illegal and you risk the consequences if it's reported and taken up (unlikely but possible). Children moving between houses for custody reasons during lockdown was one thing, but there was never an exception for children with actual confirmed covid.

PiffleWiffleWoozle · 06/12/2021 09:06

Citizens Advice seems to think he can go to a family member OP:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-rules-you-need-to-follow/check-if-you-have-to-self-isolate-because-of-coronavirus/

NuttyinNotts · 06/12/2021 09:06

You can claim the self isolation grant if you are in this circumstance and unable to work because your child has covid and you are low income. It is illegal for him to leave the house.

PiffleWiffleWoozle · 06/12/2021 09:06

Where does it say this would be illegal @ColettesEarrings ?!?

Sandyjag · 06/12/2021 09:08

I would just consider your two homes a bubble and do what you have to do. Regulations have been almost oblivious to the needs of families spread over two households. Hope everything is ok.

ColettesEarrings · 06/12/2021 09:12

In The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations, Section 2A. It might be possible for the ds to go to the father's address for the entirety of his isolation time, but chopping and changing isn't allowed.

rainbowandglitter · 06/12/2021 09:14

He should be staying at one of your houses for the while isolation period, not switching daily. Can you claim the £500 if you're worried about money from not being able to work?

ColettesEarrings · 06/12/2021 09:20

Also all of Section 2 prior to 2A as well. The issue is whether it's 'impracticable' for ds to remain at home with mum. Given that the govt would argue that the isolation grant should be applied for and used in this instance Section 2 probably does apply, but the likelihood of you being found out and actually prosecuted is vanishingly small. As I say, if your ex is happy to have him for the whole time or a few days and nights at a time, I'd do it. It's the daily coming and going you ought to try and avoid if possible.

Eightandahalfyears · 06/12/2021 09:22

Of course if dad is happy. Do you really need the approval of strangers to decide this?

Goldbar · 06/12/2021 09:29

If you have a good relationship with your ex, can he come to your house to care for DS during the day while you work?

Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 06/12/2021 09:48

Thanks all, I've spoken to Test and Trace for clarification and DS can't leave the house and no one can enter to care for him.
They said the £500 payment is a one off so I'm not entitled as I had to claim it before when his bubble burst at school, I'm going to contact my local council and see if there's any other financial help available.
Other than that, I'm screwed. I'm a single mum living hand to mouth so I'm in an impossible situation, although my ex will help with what he can.

OP posts:
Chessie678 · 06/12/2021 09:50

It’s also worth noting that if you have formal contact arrangements in place whereby the self- isolation period overlaps with your ex’s contact time, guidance is that you can follow those arrangements (as there is a legal obligation to). In fact you may have to follow those arrangements.

I don’t see it as any different to a child with two parents living at home being cared for by both parents.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/12/2021 09:52

Just be practical about it. Ex can come to yours (if you get on well enough) or drop ds and Exes.

It may well be "the law" but it's not fucking practical and thought up by those who wouldn't have these money worries if it happened to them.

Do what you need to do to get by.

rainbowandglitter · 06/12/2021 09:56

Do you have any annual leave you could book so you'd still get paid?

Chessie678 · 06/12/2021 09:59

Test and trace are not good on the intricacies of the law on this. They are not qualified to advise on it and have been given a very simple message to pass on which is frequently incorrect when individual circumstances are considered. There are lots of legal reasons that a person can leave self- isolation.

Hardly any of the covid fines have been upheld once people challenge them. In the very unlikely situation where you get fined for sending your DS to your ex, appeal it on the basis it was impractical for him to stay at home (as you couldn’t work or access financial support) and it was therefore necessary for him to go to his dad.

Hadenough21 · 06/12/2021 10:00

Just share the care with your ex - no policeman is going to turn up and arrest you for this. People need to get a grip and calm down. Just do what you need to do as sensibly as you can. Like a PP said these rules were made by people who won’t have any money worries.

idontlikealdi · 06/12/2021 10:01

Share the care. I wouldn't even question it.

I've stuck to every single rule but there's
Got to be some Common sense applied. A £500 payment for ten days wouldn't even touch my expenses.

Aderyn21 · 06/12/2021 10:01

I would do this and not give it a second thought. There's no material difference between moving a child between parents' homes and having both parents exposed to covid at one parents house and then both parents going into the community to work etc.
These rules are batshit crazy - the whole household should be isolating if one person has it. If the govt won't support that financial and legally then I here's no point to anyone sah!

Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 06/12/2021 10:01

@Chessie678 I agree but T&T asked if there was a court order in place at here isn't, if there had I think it would be different.
@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I'm too scared Blush I could end up in a lot more financial difficulty if caught and fined.
@rainbowandglitter I work in a school so no annual leave unfortunately

I'm not going to panic until I've spoken to the local council.

OP posts:
Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 06/12/2021 10:04

@Aderyn21

I would do this and not give it a second thought. There's no material difference between moving a child between parents' homes and having both parents exposed to covid at one parents house and then both parents going into the community to work etc. These rules are batshit crazy - the whole household should be isolating if one person has it. If the govt won't support that financial and legally then I here's no point to anyone sah!
They are indeed batshit! Even the T&T bloke sounded cynical about the whole thing!
OP posts:
ThePoisonousMushroom · 06/12/2021 10:08

And this is what makes me so fucking angry about the whole thing. Rules made up by people who have no idea what it’s like to live hand to mouth, and those same people can’t even manage to follow the rules themselves (Dg Street Christmas parties etc).
My child would be going to their dads house daily in this scenario.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/12/2021 10:08

Who is actually going to fine you though?

Even if they (the most extreme sitch) come and knock on your door - ds is either home with his dad there or you dont answer because you were both sleeping.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/12/2021 10:11

Does the dad wfh?