There is a statutory provision for all staff to take a reasonable amount of unpaid time off work to deal with an emergency involving their dependants, and to make any necessary longer-term arrangements. The length of time will vary according to the circumstances but in most cases, as a guideline, one or two days should be sufficient.

A dependant is defined as the spouse, civil partner, child, or parent of the member of staff. It also includes someone who lives in the same household, for example, a partner or an elderly relative or anyone who depends on a member of staff for arrangements for the provision of care or assistance.

Staff can take unpaid time off under the following circumstances: - to provide assistance on an occasion when a dependant falls ill, gives birth or is injured or assaulted

• to make arrangements for the provision of care for a dependant who is ill or injured

• in consequence of the death of a dependant

• because of the unexpected disruption or termination of arrangements for the care of a dependant, or

• to deal with an incident which involves a child of the employee and which occurs unexpectedly in a period during which an educational establishment which the child attends is responsible for him.

Staff must notify their line manager as soon as possible of the reason for the absence, and how long it is expected to last. In many instances it may be possible to avoid the need to take unpaid leave by re-arranging working hours or using flexitime, where appropriate.