Advice for staff whose children are self-isolating

08 Oct 2020

What to do if your child/children are sent home from nursery or school

Dear colleagues

Even though nurseries and schools are now open, many across Greater Manchester have recorded positive COVID cases and have sent groups of children home to self isolate.

We realise that some staff are affected by this and may not receive much notice that their child/children will need to self isolate at home. We have put together guidance and FAQs to help managers and colleagues to manage the balance of work and caring commitments in this temporary situation.

If you’re able to work from home and care for your child/children at the same time, then you should do so. You should let your line manager know this is happening especially if you want to request flexibility in your working hours or pattern during this period.

If you’re required to work on campus and your child/children are self-isolating you should talk to your line manager to see what kind of workaround can be agreed to cover this period. This might include one of the following:

using up to 14 days of coronavirus special leave which can be taken in full or half days;
using Special Leave to cover an emergency situation;
considering what other childcare options you have available e.g. can you share childcare with your partner/other household member/support bubble member
agreeing a temporary change to your working pattern which may involve working outside of core hours;
taking annual leave;
requesting unpaid parental leave (typically up to four weeks is allowed within a 12 month period per child);

If you or someone in your household is self-isolating for any of these reasons you must not come to work on campus. If you have tested positive or are having to self-isolate you must report this using this online reporting form. Once you’ve completed this form you also need to let your line manager know in line with our usual sickness reporting procedure.

Further guidance is available:

Best wishes

Karen Heaton

Director of Human Resources