Once again I face the problem of holiday childcare. My manager says it is my responsibility but this is beyond my means and I have been told off for bringing my children to work with me. My job is out of sync with the school calendar and the college appears not to recognise that this is a problem for many.

I was told that it was an insurance issue: whether that is true or not I do not know. Further education is family-unfriendly, operating an open-all-year policy that makes it very difficult for parents who work and have children. The college has a responsibility to recognise its staff’s circumstances and try to support their needs.

Send your dilemmas to Don Short atshortbuttall@hotmail.com