What are my rights for time off for child with possible long term illness?

[rainbowinthesky]

I am a teacher and work have been fine so far about me having time off to collect dd from school if they call, to have time off whilst organising other childcare (hour or two here and there) and for hospital appointments but it looks like we are looking at a long term, possible life long illness which will mean sporadic time off for illness and appointments.
Both dh and I can and do share the load but both need to work full time as cant afford not to. My dm is no longer in a positition due to age etc to look after dd anymore for us and we use clubs currently for care none of whom obviously can do daytime and look after dd when she is unwell. We've always had childminders before adn none could have her when she was unwell.

How on earth do people manage? I accept any leave I have in future will be unpaid and I have no problem with that obviously but what are my rights, if any, to unpaid leave to care for ill child and for appointments?

Have you been in contact with your union? They will probably be able to give you the most teaching-specific information. For more general info the direct.gov website is usually pretty helpful.

I'm sorry to hear about your DD's condition, hope that you find a way to make things work.

Thanks. No, I hadnt thought of them but I will now though.

Your rights are fairly limited. Most employers will allow time for hospital appointments as you've already had. In terms of sporadic illness, you are entitled to emergency dependents' leave which is unpaid and for a day or two. You can also request parental leave which has to be taken in blocks of a week, is unpaid, must be requested in advance and can be postponed by your employer if it's not convenient.

I don't think either of those will solve your longer term problem which is the fact that your current childcare provision won't take your dd when she is unwell. I think you need to sort yourselves out a nanny. Yes it's more expensive than a childminder but if the extra cost will enable you and your DH to hold down full time jobs it will probably be worth the sacrifices you'll need to make to afford it. You can get term time/after school nannies.

I think it's something to think about.

That's a good idea. Hadnt considered the idea of a term time nanny. Would I need to pay her for full time care so she would be available when dd couldnt go to school? Dd probably misses 25% of school but obviously we never know when she will be ill? Would a nanny look after her when she is physically suffering?

Yes absolutely they would.

I don't think you'd necessarily have to pay full time just in case. If you go over to the Childminders, nannies au pairs topic there are loads of helpful nannies and nanny employers there, some of which I'm sure use term time/after school nannies only and I know some have various half-pay or similar options during school hours so that nannies are on call for illness etc. Lots of options, and worth it in your circumstances, especially if it saves you losing pay taking lots of unpaid leave.

Really sorry to hear you are in this situation - it must be tough, and it demonstrates how having an ill or disabled child contributes to poverty .

Is your dd entitled to any level of DLA or carers allowance which you could put towards a nanny or other regular childcare? This could be something to explore.

A nanny with her own child could suit you - so that she could work term time and care for her own dc during the hols?

Thanks. Still getting diagnosed etc so not started looking at anything tbh just worried about long term implications of working as we are now. THanks for all the advice.

If you think there is a chance that the level of care she needs may entitle you to DLA send for the pack of forms now. If you are entitled, the application will be back dated to when you asked for the forms. The forms will also give you an idea of the level of care and / or ability will qualify.