Help for SAHP after suicide risk

[3mmaH]

My DP was taken to hospital on Christmas Day because paramedics were worried about the suicide risk. DP is likely to come home this weekend, I go back to work on Tuesday, I work 12 hour days 5 days a week.

I’m worried the hospital aren’t taking on board that once DP is home he will be responsible for 2 young children, you can’t get signed off/sick note/fit note from parenting!

Does anyone know if there is any particular questions I should be asking to keep my family safe?
Or any support that would be expected? I read about the Care programme approach but it’s not been mentioned by the hospital at all.

I’ve asked for advice from the hospital on if I should be at home more but have been told that it’s a family decision. I don’t feel confident asking about a temporary reduction in my hours “as I’m a little worried about DP” whereas asking for a temporary reduction in my hours because a doctor or health professional have advised I need to be at home X amount of time to care for DP/DC is reasonable and I believe I am legally allowed to take time off for this reason.

Thank you

Would the hospital discharge summary be ok? Or contact gp - to see if they can put some advice into writing? I’m sorry you are going through this. I hope he gets the help he needs

You can’t leave the children in his care unsupervised as they’d be at risk of significant harm, ie with his suicide risk. It’s not safe for the children but you need to allow him breathing space to recover and arrange alternative childcare.
if you cant, you’re legally entitled to take time off for dependents. It’s usually unpaid though. Most people would just get a line from the doc for stress so you can still get your own sick pay.
talk to your employer who should be able to help you.

Thank you, I’ve spoken to my GP and they can sign me off due to family illness. Sick pay doesn’t even cover a week’s rent let alone other bills! We did have to use UC during Covid so I guess we’ll need to do that again.
The hospital are being very wishy washy with how safe it is, how long we might need extra childcare/me take time off, that’s why I wondered if it was the way I was asking and if I needed to be more specific.
GP was much better so thank you for that.

Does your employer have a compassionate leave policy?

Sorry that you're in this situation OP.

Does your employer offer no sick pay beyond the statutory?

Do you have any savings?

Are there any family members/neighbours who could look after the children for you? Could the children go to stay with grandparents or something like that?

I don't want to be dismissive of the significant childcare/earnings issue you're faced with but obviously for the well-being of all of you, you're going to have to put DP's recovery above everything else somehow.