DH getting grief at work re time off for appts

[Arabica]

DH is a teacher and at the time he was interviewed for the job, he explained that sometimes he would need to go to DD's hospital appts. Not the routine stuff, just the special occasions--MRI scans, grommet op, Ph test, etc.
We're also having family therapy once a month which means he has to leave at 3pm to arrive in time for the last appt of the day. This year there have been 3 hospital appointments he's needed to attend and this week we have a visit to a potential nursery school which he needs to visit too to check he is happy with it before I move her.
His head teacher is grumbling about the amount of time he has to have off. I think she is being totally unreasonable. What can we quote at her to get her to shut the F up? He always makes up the time he takes off by staying very late another day and is usually at school by 7.45am every morning.

There is something called 'parental leave', which is more 'generous' (if that's the word) for parents of children with SN.
The official link at
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/Parentalleaveandpay/DG_10029416

Thanks for the link. I had a quick look but I think that covers larger blocks of time, eg you need a week off because your child will be in hospital, rather than he needs the occasional half a day or to leave school early once a month.

I've found a HV's guide which says:

"Parents of children born on or after 15 December 1999 can take advantage of 13
weeks Parental Leave for appointments and non-emergency operations. Where
eligible, parents of disabled children can take their Parental Leave in blocks or
one day at a time and up to the child?s 18th birthday."

I'm not sure which legislation it refers to but will have a look.

On page 7 of publication here is where I saw it.

I know exactly what you are going thru - DH is a teacher too (ICT to yr7 - yr13). His previous headmistress was a complete and utter bitch and made life very uncomfortable and difficult.

He is now at a school which is much more understanding. DH only attends the big stuff too (first Paed appt, eye op, family bloods etc). I dont really have an answer for you unfortunately, other than find another school who has more acceptance for teachers with families.

what does your DH teach? how difficult would it be to move school?

Incidentally the last head had no family and didnt believe that teachers should either - but we think she didnt like children that much either . The head at the present school has a very large family, his wife childminds and they have the occasional foster child too. Maybe its that that makes all the difference?

oops Xpost.

whilst you legally have a right to unpaid leave, it doesnt make for a very good work relationship and if it degenerates to hating work... thats good for no-one .

From what I can find here you can take individual days if your child gets DLA and your dh has been working for at least a year.

www.stammeringlaw.org.uk/cases/coleman.htm

the Coleman case shows that parents of disabled children are protected under DDA - unfortunately though it doesn't meant parents are entitled to more leave/flexibility though, just that they shouldn't be denied flexibility that parents to non-disabled kids get.

btw - could he get help via his union?

would county council have a policy for this sort of thing?

if an office based employee needed to finish early one day and was happy to make up time they would not be difficult.
while trickier if you are teaching, they should be able to sort out some thing out.

agree with spekaing to union.

Thanks for all messages so far. DH is union member and is going to contact them.

Definitely the Union. Mine were brilliant over a work situation I had about my disability, so I'm sure they know the right laws to help your dh.

It's the attitude that really annoys me, as if going to Gt Ormond St was some kind of a pleasurable skive. Maybe watching your screaming toddler have a scary procedure done is more fun than teaching--maybe depends on the school.

just bumping to see if anyone else has had struggles with this. DH's union rep a bit wet.