Requesting Change Of Hours For Needs Of Disabled Child?

[Jenarry]

I wonder if anyone could advise me please.
I work 4 days a week - two til 3pm and two til 5pm when my son who has type 1 diabetes and receives Disability living allowance usually attends an after school club til i get home at 5.30-6pm depending on rush hr traffic.
but now my son is starting secondary school next month and there is no such childcare provisions available so I asked my boss about changing my hrs (not reducing them) so I can finish at 3 everyday.
well she hardly listened to me about my situation and why I'm asking. I got a 10 min lecture about staff hrs and how she needs us all to help out with working til 7pm.
we moved 18 months ago to be in an area with better schools for my son so moved away from my support network of family and friends and my partner works in a trade where everyday is different so its very difficult for him to guarantee to be home for 4pm.
As it stands my son is going to get home 2 days a week to empty house and spend at least an hr and a half on his own.
and rather than my boss helping she's worsened the situation by insisting that I start working til 7pm at least one day a week. :( AAARGH . she said he's older now-yes he's older now but he's still just 11 and diabetic!!!!
I was told that as a child with DLA she should be more flexible to my needs -when I tactfully told her this she didn't bat an eyelid. and is insisting that my husband (my son's stepdad) MUST arrange to finish early one day a week -that he MUST start helping me with childcare. this not only affects my husband but his workmate and his boos who arranges all their work for them -as I say every day is different and they never know what time they will finish. I told my boss this and again she said that he has to do it.
Sorry for the long post . It has stressed me out a lot and made my hubby quite angry too about her whole attitude.

[THECORBYLOON]

http://m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1616

You haha the right to request a change in hours but the employer has various grounds for refusing. The link is to the ACAS website and they have a few leaflets there about the subject.

[twix123]

Obviously your 'boss' has no concept of staff management and lacks the necessary skills for the position. For starters, she has no right to insist that your husband changes his working practices to suit her staffing rotas!
Do you have a Contract of Employment, with your current hours set out in writing?
I would speak to ACAS for guidance should Corby's link to their leaflets prove inadequate. The ACAS helpline number is 0300 123 1100. It is available Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

[bednobs]

hi as far as i can see, you are in no different position from millions of other working parents who try to find childcare - you just need to look around for an after school club or activity or childminder.
s it the 1.5 hours on his own that worries you? Hpw old do you think he will be before you feel able to leave him on his own for that time? Or is it his illness? what extra things does the aftershool club put in place for him now regarding the diabetes?

[Jenarry]

Thankyou everyone for your words advice. The working families helpline was a fab tip and I will remember them for future issues . They gave me a very comprehensive answer about what my rights were and what route I could take about this matter.
Luckily I have been able to continue with my current hours as my husband took the decision to finish early on my 2 later days and we are going to see how it works . If it doesn't work for him,his workmate and boss I know what I can do to apply for the hours that I need.It's called applying for flexible hours. I have also learned a lesson to get all this info before a request anything from my boss in future so I know where I stand. what a load of stress. :/