For many families, the summer holidays are a chance to relax, spend quality time together and enjoy a break from the usual routine. For working parents and carers of neurodivergent children, however, the six-week summer holiday can bring a very different set of challenges.
While the end of term may mean a break from school, it does not always mean a break from responsibility. For many, it means managing a significant change in routine, finding suitable childcare, supporting increased emotional needs and balancing additional caring responsibilities alongside work commitments.
Research from Sense shows that 57% of parent carers struggle to access suitable holiday clubs, and 34% say that difficulty finding appropriate support has negatively affected their mental health. The lack of suitable provision does not just affect families at home, it can also create challenges in the workplace as parents try to balance their caring responsibilities with their professional roles.
When the school routine disappears
For many neurodivergent children, school provides much more than education. It can offer structure, predictability, social opportunities and access to familiar support networks. When the school holidays begin, that structure can suddenly disappear.
A change in routine that may feel exciting for some children can feel overwhelming for others. Parents and carers may find themselves supporting:
- Increased anxiety around changes to routine
- Sensory needs in unfamiliar environments
- Difficulties with transitions and new activities
- Emotional regulation and increased stress
- Changes to sleep patterns and daily structure
- Finding activities that are accessible and suitable for their child
The challenge of finding suitable support
Traditional childcare options are not always suitable. A summer club may not have the staff, resources, or understanding needed to support a neurodivergent child. Activities that are designed for large groups may create sensory challenges, while unfamiliar environments and new people can make participation difficult.
This means parents are often left researching options, contacting providers, repeatedly explaining their child’s needs, and making arrangements that may not always be available. The result can be increased pressure on families who are already managing significant responsibilities.
Research from Sense highlights the scale of this issue, with more than half of parent carers reporting difficulties accessing accessible holiday clubs. The organisation also found that challenges accessing suitable activities can have a wider impact on families, affecting finances, well-being and opportunities to work.
The impact on working parents and carers
The summer holidays can create a difficult balancing act for employees who are also parents or carers. Behind every meeting attended, deadline, or email sent, there may be a parent trying to coordinate childcare, manage appointments, support their child’s needs and create a sense of stability during a period of change.
A survey of 1,176 UK parents by charity Pregnant Then Screwed found that 26% had taken unpaid leave during the school holidays to manage childcare responsibilities, with 75% of those taking more than five days away from work.
The impact is not only professional. Research shows that 53% of family carers do not take a family holiday because of their caring responsibilities, while 80% say they have had to give up leisure time altogether.
What can employers do?
Supporting employees during the summer holidays comes from creating a workplace culture where people feel comfortable having honest conversations.
Simple steps can include:
- Creating psychological safety: Employees should feel able to talk about challenges they are facing without worrying that they will be viewed as less committed or less capable. A supportive manager can make a significant difference by asking what would help and listening to the individual needs of their team members.
- Recognising that flexibility may be temporary: For some employees, additional flexibility during the summer holidays may make a significant difference. This could include adapting working hours, allowing adjustments to schedules or considering individual circumstances.
- Building understanding across the organisation: Neurodiversity awareness should not only focus on employees who are neurodivergent. It should also help organisations understand the wider experiences of families, carers and colleagues supporting neurodivergent individuals.
How Thriiver can help
At Thriiver, we support organisations in creating workplaces where neurodiversity is understood, valued, and embraced. Through Audits, Neurodiversity Awareness Training, Workplace Needs Assessments, and Workplace Strategy Coaching, we help organisations understand the barriers people may face and develop practical ways to support their employees.
If you would like to learn more about how Thriiver can support your organisation, get in touch today.
