Returning to unsociable hours??

[Mumsue111]

Hi all looking for some advice please.
I'm currently on maternity and wondering how it works when I return to work. My work is care work ( for 1 person, working with a small team), and the 2 shifts available are early and late ( before and after college hours) so approx 6am-9.30am, and 3-8.30pm. before I had my baby I was working/contracted to the am shift but I can't find any local childcare that would take a baby from 5.30 am. The pm shift is always covered and I cant see how they can offer any suitable alternative in hours? What are my options or has anyone been in the same situation? X

You can put in a request for flexible working.. 12 weeks in advance.
Explain what you want and the benefits to the company.
Eg- childcare more reliable on late shift so no risk of childcare falling through and having to work.

They can deny it if it's not within the needs of the business but if they value their employees they may be amenable.

Am I correct in reading this as your being part of a small personal care team that is directly employed by the client? If so I agree - there is really no prospect of your returning to your role. I believe this would be a frustration of contract. It can't be redundancy because the role still exists, but you are unable to fulfil it. So it would be a fair reason to dismiss you.