if your child is off school

[NotThereYet]

I'm writing a book for children, but, since I don't have children myself, I'm not sure what would happen in this situation - if your 12-year old child is ill and off school, but you are supposed to be going to work that day. Can you take the day off work to look after your child? Do you have to get a last-minute childminder?
Perhaps it depends on the kind of job you do...I'm imagining this Mum is a pharmacist.
Any thoughts would be most welcome!

depends on the illness. if it is something non-serious like a cold, I leave 12-year-old home alone, with phones etc and a neighbour to pop in and check. But I work 5 minutes away from home and can be flexible and home by 12.
If it is a throwy-up sort of thing, I usually end up taking time of work, as DH always seems to have an importnat meeting which can't be changed.

Unless you have a good friend or family nearby, it is almost impossible to get ad-hoc childcare . 12-yr-olds don't usually have 'regular' child-minders.

I am usually owed time off in lieu anyway.
Or I take it as holiday

If your child is really ill then NO childminder will take your child on.
Your employer has to give you time off by LAW even if you don't get paid for it.
That is the reality of being a parent and working.

Maybe you should write a book about the angst of parents and kids who try and fake an illness (because they don't want to go to school) and then the parents get in trouble with their employer and the authorities.