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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Ill dc and work

21 replies

Awakeagain · 24/03/2013 09:09

What is the practice at school when your dc is ill and there is no one but you to look after them? Similarly what happens if they become ill during the day and you have to go and get them? Just an interesting Sunday morning panic before going back to work later this year

OP posts:

HedgeHogGroup · 24/03/2013 10:08

Staff in my school get up to 5 days 'emergency family leave' at full pay (pro rata for part time staff). This gets receorded on a spreadsheet and we warn them if they're coming up to the 5 day limit.
I would never stop them staying off/going home but we can only pay so much otherwise people could take advantage (none of my staff ever have).
I'm quite new to Headship but an older (wiser) Head of an outstanding school was telling me that she never stops her staff taking time off if they need it and she feels (knows) that she gets the benefit from having a loyal, supportive staff.

HedgeHogGroup · 24/03/2013 10:09

Not all Heads are as nice as me though

noblegiraffe · 24/03/2013 10:12

My school would give you the day off but then expect you to arrange emergency childcare for subsequent days. They get very snotty if it happens regularly and ask if the father could cover it.

Knowsabitabouteducation · 24/03/2013 12:56

They don't have to pay you if you are looking after a sick child. Most schools will pay for a few days, but not every illness.

I've known colleagues to say that they are sick and not mention the child.

If you are called out in the middle of a school day, it doesn't count as an absence for you (AFAIK).

I've been very fortunate to have robust children, and a DH who is able to be flexible/work from home. I have also dosed them up on Calpol before school (not D&V, obviously).

Teaching is a job that requires your presence at the right time. You really do have to manage your own children's illness, and have a support network in place.

porridgewithblueberries · 24/03/2013 16:46

Knows - I agree, however, it is worth bearing in mind that if you don't have a support network in place, what do you do? Should people like me who sadly lost her own parents when young, not have a family of her own?

I would never take advantage - ever - but on practical grounds, I obviously can't leave a child home alone!

I would not expect to be paid for taking time off to be with a sick child but I would hope employers would appreciate it is one of those situations where options are limited, usually to family only, and if you don't have them - well, what DO you do?

missmapp · 24/03/2013 17:04

DH and I take it in turns. We have been lucky that longer illnesses( chickenpox) have struck during the holidays. However, I am also guilty of dosing up with calpol and sending them in.DS2 is a bit off colour today, I am already timing the calpol so he will be ready for a full dose tomorrow morning.

If I get a phonecall during the day, my wonderful cm will collect and look after them until I can get there. All our family are hundreds of miles away, and although I have an emergency support network, they all are mum friends so I never expect them to take an infectious child! -

PollyEthelEileen · 24/03/2013 17:43

If you are the only one who can look after your child, you have to be able to do this - but don't expect to be paid after the first few days.

Phineyj · 24/03/2013 22:29

I also go back to work later this year & have been wondering about this. I have deliberately chosen a nursery near my DM so she could pick up if necessary, but she is very busy and wouldn't necessarily be available. However, I've asked my lovely cleaner if she would do the occasional looking after of sick child in case there is an occasion when both DH and I absolutely have to be in work but DD is too unwell to go to nursery. Can you rack your brains for any acquaintances you trust with children who might be called on very occasionally? Or as the other poster suggested, a CM, as they all seem to have a network of other CMs to call on.

yellowhousewithareddoor · 24/03/2013 22:35

We're stuck on this. Husband works away and no family so I literally am the only one. Its puting me off returning to teaching due to stress and not having support to cover this kind of thing :-(

letseatgrandma · 24/03/2013 22:49

Our sickness/abscence policy states that we aren't entitled to any paid days off to look after children suffering from common illnesses such as colds or chickenpox (;(). Generally DH has been able to work from home or take one day holiday, or the DC end up going to the grandparents. This inevitably ends up with my parents catching whatever illness is going around and I feel horribly guilty though. There was one occasion where my parents were away and DH had an important meeting and DS and I both had a horrible stomach bug and I just rang in and said I was sick (without mentioning him) and I had 2 days off sick. I haven't been off sick myself for years though.

It's very hard to know what to do with them if you haven't got family around though and teachers at my school who are off ill a lot (whether it's their own illness or for children) get moaned about behind their backs, so I really try not to do it!

Original poster

Awakeagain · 24/03/2013 23:29

Thanks for all the responses, sorry I've not been back sooner had a family emergency but all ok now

Luckily we do have family very near so hopefully with some good organisation between us all we'd be able to manage
I think my school would appear to be understanding in this matter but I'd be so stressed about having to leave/not go in! I meticulously organised my antenatal appointments for the minimal disruption to my class as possible as I know that the teacher actually being there and teaching is so important
Ill bring it up with the business manager when I'm asking about childcare vouchers

OP posts:

MrsSalvoMontalbano · 25/03/2013 18:35

This is the perennial parent problem, whatever job you do if it has any level of responsibility.

cansu · 12/04/2013 13:36

I think it varies according to the head. I think you have the right to take time off but not to be paid. However, I have disabled children and the head has always allowed me to take paid time off when they have been sick mainly I think because she knows I don't have family nearby and also because of dc condition it is impossible to get child are through friends and acquaintances. the pay off is that I rarely take time off for my own sickness and that I work very hard. I think if your contribution is recognised then usually there is some leeway.

manicinsomniac · 12/04/2013 17:32

Our school pays teachers who have to be off with sick children just as they would pay sick staff.

The condition being that, if they are only mildly-moderately ill and not throwing up everywhere, we bring them to the school sick bay instead of staying at home.

BackforGood · 12/04/2013 17:45

I've never lost pay, but then I've always made it clear we've done whatever we can (dh sharing the load) and never 'taken the mick'. IME most schools know they get FAR more back from staff who like where they work, so when it's genuine they give you sympathy.

cardibach · 12/04/2013 22:26

We get one day for emergency cover then have to arrange something else or forgo pay, and they don't like it to happen often. Mind you, I am losing one sixth of a day's pay next week to take DD to an essential orthodontics appointment which could not be arranged outside school hours as it takes 2 hours to drive to the hospital, so I don't think my school is typical.

ReadytoOrderSir · 13/04/2013 17:28

My school allows 4 days paid per year for care of ill dependents. If we get the call during the day then that does not count towards the 4 and they cover it with existing TAs only. Luckily I was on PPA when I had the call that my son needed to go to A&E with a broken arm!

EvilTwins · 14/04/2013 10:51

My school is quite strict about this- mostly because we have real issues with certain depts (don't know why) having an awful lot of absence. Basically, if your DC is ill, you are allowed the time but it's unpaid. Having said that, those of us who rarely take time off have been known to be asked "are you sure it's the DC that's ill? Not you?" when we've called in so I guess the head sees that she needs to be flexible with people who don't take the piss... If we're called away after the day has started, we do still get paid. On the very few occasions my DC have been ill (vvv lucky that I have, so far, had pretty healthy kids) DH has gone in late and has called me to say I need to go home, and we've got round it that way.

BackforGood · 14/04/2013 12:12

I think that's always the issue EvilTwins, when just one person takes advantage, then it has to become 'rule driven' for everyone, and that one person spoils the good relations that others have built up.

cardibach · 14/04/2013 14:19

Just realised I didn't say I am losing one sixth of a day's pay for missing one 50 minute lesson to take DD to an essential appointment... Makes more sense now.

EvilTwins · 20/04/2013 16:09

Believe me, BackForGood, people like me are not the issue at my school. About 1/4 of the staff were "ill" when we had an external review recently. I was not one of them. FWIW, I've told the head that I'm not comfortable with lying about whether it's me or the DCs who are unwell.

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