You have the legal right to parental leave - that is, time off work to spend with your young or disabled children. This leave is unpaid and has to be taken in week-long blocks. Your rights are outlined in detail here.

You may also need to take time off for a domestic emergency - perhaps your child is sick, or your childminder is unavailable at short notice. You also have the legal right to take this leave. Your employer does not have to pay you, but can do so at their discretion.

You can read the details here.