Childcare

Help to care for your children can come from different places. These suggestions may give you some useful ideas. If you feel overwhelmed, ask a family member or friend to support you with getting the help you need.

For some people, support from family or friends is enough to help them care for their children. A family member may be able to do some of the things you usually do. Children often adapt to this and learn that it is part of what it means to be a family.

Family or friends can do practical things like housework, cooking or shopping. This can give you more time to spend with your children.

They may also be able to help with day-to-day activities. This might include picking up children from school and nursery, or taking care of them when you have hospital appointments.

It is okay to ask for help. People are usually happy to help and are just waiting to be asked.

We have information about talking to children and teenagers about cancer.

If your child is at school, it may help to contact the headteacher or form teacher about any care the school can provide before or after school. You could call or email them first to arrange a meeting at the school.

Some schools have a member of staff who manages the welfare of children. Or there may be a school nurse you can talk to. They may also be aware of local childcare services.

Parents of your child’s friends may be able to help on days when you have your treatment.

It can also help to talk to members of your healthcare team about local childcare support. This might include your GP, cancer doctor or specialist nurse.

They can also suggest other sources of support for a child whose parent has cancer.

If you are employed, your employer may be able to offer flexible working to help you work around childcare and cancer treatment. You could talk to your manager or Human Resources (HR) department about this. If you have a partner and they are employed, they could also ask about more flexible working.

You may find it helpful to contact our work support service for more information about this and your rights at work.

Gov.uk has information about various types of flexible working such as flexitime, home working, compressed hours and job share in England, Scotland and Wales. 

NIDirect has information about flexible working in Northern Ireland.

Your local social services department is a good place to start finding out about possible childcare options. It can provide a range of care options and support for children, their families and carers.

Someone from social services will assess your needs. Sometimes, it is possible for them to provide a package of care. This is a combination of services to meet the support needs of parents and families.

They may be able to organise help with shopping, housework and applying for benefits. This can mean you have more energy to spend quality time with your children. You can also talk to our money advisers about applying for benefits on 0808 808 0000.

You can contact your local council’s Family Information Service to get a list of the childcare services and family hubs in your area. Family hubs bring together different organisations and services to make it easier to access help. This will include local childminders, day care nurseries and out-of-school care. In some areas, this is called a Childcare Information Service.

Social workers can be a useful contact and source of support. They can advise you about the childcare available in your local area. You can ask your GP or a teacher at your child’s school for a referral to a social worker. They can talk to you about what support might help while you have your treatment.

Some charities provide free support and practical help with looking after children.

Child Benefit is the main benefit if you are responsible for a child. If you do not already get this, you can:

• find out more at GOV.UK
• talk to our money advisers on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

If you are getting Universal Credit you might be able to get:

• the child element, if you are responsible for children who live with you
• the childcare element, if you pay for childcare while working.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child with a disability.

You may be able to claim this benefit if your child:

• is aged under 16
• has difficulty walking or needs extra care – more than a child of the same age who does not have a disability.

The amount you get depends on your child’s needs. You may qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a child who gets the middle or high care rate of DLA.

In Scotland, Child Disability Payment has replaced DLA for children. You may be able to claim this benefit if your child:

• is aged under 16
• has a physical or mental disability.

In Scotland, you may get the Scottish Child Payment if you look after a child:

• and you or your partner get Universal Credit or income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• or one of you get Pension Credit, Income Support or income-related Employment Support Allowance.

Scottish Child Payment is paid every 4 weeks. If you are eligible, you can get payments for each child you look after who is under 16 years old.

Other organisations which provide emotional support include:

If you are having difficulties with childcare, you can contact a Macmillan cancer support specialist on 0808 808 0000.