Changing NHS Trust...is continuous service beneficial?

[bigyellowteapots]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice please. I currently work as a midwife for the NHS but will be changing Trust in September as I've been offered a seconded student post (SCPHN - very excited!).

I was considering ending my employment with my current Trust in the middle of August to give me some time off with the children before staring uni. Is this a bad idea? Would it affect my pension at all? And would it affect my banding once I qualify as I would only have 12 months continuous service as opposed to 30 months?

Also, thinking about money - I think I would have accrued more holiday than I have taken by the time I leave (I couldn't book any over the Summer) so would they have to give me that holiday before my contract ends, or can they just pay me for what leave I haven't taken? I'd rather just take the holiday during my notice period but I don't know if they'd allow this due to staffing.

I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks.

[JenniferYellowHat1980]

I have a feeling that a short break still qualifies you for continuous service. Is it in your contract?

[daisychain01]

Can you bridge between one position and another, using annual leave and unpaid leave?

Why give away continuity of service if you don't need to? 30 months gives you statutory employment rights, 12 months does not.

[MeadowDream]

I've just had a quick look at agenda for change nhs service handbook online and it looks like you can have a break of up to 12 months without affecting continuous service, but I would double check this with your HR dept. Not sure if any other mumsnetters know anymore about this happy to be told I'm wrong

[MeadowDream]

With regards to annual leave, my experience is that they just pay you for what you haven't taken it when you leave.

[bigyellowteapots]

Thank you

I can't see anything in relation to continuous service in my contract, but that might be because this is my first post in the NHS. I wouldn't have a break if it meant I'd lose out, I was only considering it if I could do it without losing any benefits. I'll definitely see if I can use my holiday though. I'll give HR a call on Monday and see if they can help. They've not been particularly helpful in the past but it's definitely worth a try.

[ChestnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

If you have >2 week unpaid break it constitutes a break in service and will affect your redundancy pay. You can apply for a 3-12 month career break but not sure you can use it to do a secondment. You would need to check your Trust policy.

[witwootoodleoo]

I'd also give the NHS pension scheme people a buzz to check if HR aren't helpful. Details here

[PookieDo]

Read the handbook because there is something about accumulative service and pension affecting your holiday entitlement. It's worth checking. The handbook is for all staff

[NickMyLipple]

You can have a break of up to 3 months without affecting your rights.

Good luck with the SCPHN - it was the best and worst year of my life!!! Are you doing masters or degree level?

[bigyellowteapots]

Thanks all, and thanks for the link witwootoodleoo

I've decided to just suck it up and finish the day before I start uni (hopefully get the weekend off at least). I don't want to risk losing out financially, I'm part time anyway, and my children are older and not that keen on spending too much time with me .

NickMyLipple I'm doing the PGDip but I believe I can top up to MSc. I'd love to know why it was the best and worse year - I'm getting quite nervous about what I've taken on. Was it worth it?

[NickMyLipple]

It's just a huge struggle to manage full time work with assignments and family life. It's so much fun, you'll have a ball at university, your peers are likeminded and your lecturers are supportive. You will work hard but if you're passionate enough, it's worth it.

Top tip from me- if there is an area you're interested in, try to make a lot of your assignments about that topic to save yourself some work. I did school nursing and I'm very interested in the use of technology. I did my safeguarding assignment on cyber-bullying and sexting. I did my public health assignment about screentime, I did my literature review on technology to engage young people in nursing services... similar topics so less reading round and resources you've already sifted through.

I'm about to take the plunge as an 8b setting up and managing a non-existent service. It's all new to me but I can do it. The course taught me to have faith in my ability and really gave me an opportunity to explore what kind of leader I am. I came out of it feeling ready to lead a team which is exactly what I did!

Good luck!

[bigyellowteapots]

Wow, it sounds like you really gained a lot from the course. I hope I am as successful. Good luck with your new service. What an achievement!

Thank you for the tip. I have a few areas of interest so I will see if I can write my essays around these topics.