Why I took unpaid leave to cover the summer holidays: a parent's story

The six-week summer holiday remains one of the most stressful periods for working parents, forcing many to make impossible choices between their careers and caring for their children. In this personal account, the author explains why taking a month of unpaid leave was the only viable option to ensure their daughter was properly cared for during the break, illustrating the very real pressures that sit behind attendance and employment statistics. The article sheds light on the reality faced by thousands of families who must patch together annual leave, informal care, and costly organised childcare to cover the gap between school terms. It underscores the urgent need for local authorities and policymakers to consider how the school calendar aligns with modern working patterns, and the importance of accessible, affordable holiday provision as part of wider family support services. For Lead Members responsible for children's services and education, this story illustrates the everyday pressures that push families toward crisis point. It raises important questions about how Early Help strategies can better support parents with the practical challenges of the summer holidays, and whether current provision truly meets the needs of working families in our communities.