Keyworker but need time to home school

1276

Good morning 
How do I stand - I’m a keyworker ( TA in a classroom in a primary school) I have 3 children at home , 2 are secondary & college age and are capable to get on with work set. My 10yr old is at home being home schooled by my college aged daughter. One day a week she has a zoom call so my son is left to get on. As a parent I don’t want my son to attend school even though the school would give him a space, I prefer to keep him home as my daughter is vulnerable due to having asthma. 

My question is - am I within my rights to ask for one day at home to support my family. 

GrumpyDil

You can ask but it will depend if the school believe there is work you can do from home and do not need you in school.
Are you with a partner and if so can they cover that short period of time? 

unholyangel

You can ask for unpaid time off of up to 4 weeks per year (max of 18 weeks overall and pro rata). However the leave needs to be whole weeks, unless your employer agrees otherwise. 

warby68

You can request flexible working and/or parental leave.
I don't think you have any specific rights because of the lockdown although unpaid leave is probably more in use than previously.
I fully understand your preference to keep him at home but if there is a school place for him not sure it can be any more than a preference.
Obviously if there are fewer pupils attending your school there may be scope for fewer staff and you may get a lucky informal concession.
Just a personal opinion but if he's getting 4 full school days out of 5 with support, that probably isn't too bad compared to many. I suspect there are a lot of 10y olds who only have light touch supervision with their work while their parents work from home or juggle other children as well on every day of the week.
Also if his work is flexible some of it can probably be done at other times when you are home and he can chill for that one daytime period.
Its a juggling act but yours does seem capable of being reasonably (although obviously far from perfectly with a burden on your older children) well covered without interrupting your key work.