My employer said I now have to go permanent

Are you in Unison?

I believe even as a temp, as an NHS worker you can join

They offer legal advice as part of their membership

i dont think legal advice would cut it
she can either accept the permanent contract, or not, in which case the temporary contract will end

I think that this is one of those scenarios where the OP needs legal advice rather than opinions and keyboard HR “experts”. The chances are that the new director has taken advice from the relevant in-house team and isn’t doing anything wrong, but it’s worth getting a proper opinion I think because sometimes dynamic and ambitious people who are brought in to “shake things up” and don’t care about ruffling feathers, inadvertently overstep the mark. Maybe the OP’s household insurance covers legal costs, but if not I think that half an hour with a solicitor could be money well spent. Or ACAS if finances are a real issue.

Do you not get holiday pay? I thought even if agency, you still accrue holidays? I might be wrong so don't shoot me, seems odd

I temped for years (when there was plenty of temp work). I loved it, psychologically I felt trapped if I was permanent. I’d love to temp now but there isn’t anything, it’s all gone very quiet. I’ve never temped at a job for more than a few weeks though and it was when I had less responsibilities (mortgage/children). And yes to the horror of job interviews, one of the reasons I temped was to not do interviews.

You said you have put in a flexible working request. Did you do it formally? You couldn't have done as you aren't yet employed full time. Take the job and then apply for flexible working to change you hours. - it may be your directories changing your hours because yours don't support the business need.....but if you can still do you job at different hours then they will have to consider it.
https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/applying-for-flexible-working

Not illegal. Not unfair.

She gets flexibility but doesn't get the security her colleagues have. No right to hours or unfair dismissal. Just different.

Look into dependent leave and carers leave. These should help you support your mum.

I don't really understand what arrangement you have actually had here but it seems unusual and I can see why they want to do things properly. I agree about putting in a flexible working request to remain on your hours but it isn't going to solve the holidays issue. I empathise as I have a super flexible job and can pretty much take holiday whenever and work what hours I want but I don't think there are many jobs like that but why not take the job and see how it goes and start looking for something else if it doesn't work for you. Seems silly to complain about them only giving you 4 weeks notice as that is the temp terms

@TizerorFizzthere will be a Bank Staff Team in each NHS trust who actively recruit and support people who work on a zero hours contract. They will be able to advise the OP
In my Trust there are people who worked like this for at least ten years and all ward teams have a few bank regulars who they call on when permanent staff are ill, on Mat Leave, on holidays and have done the same job for years. No one would ever expect them to work Christmas or New Year, but some do for the enhanced pay

OP, talk to your staff bank team, talk to the union reps as this has massive implications for a lot of staff in your Trust

I would stay in the role permanently to ensure my bills are paid, but start applying for roles where the hours suit you better. If you leave you may end up unemployed for longer than you'd like or can afford.

i was on nhs bank for many years and after 2 years in one position they twisted my arm to get a contract,
i did enjoy the flexibility prior to this
i am sure you will work something out
can you chose how many hours you do at least?

in that case you are super lucky you have never been let go during times of cut backs.

and as to the pension question, i was on nhs bank and it is an automatic join to the pension

@redfishcat There s a category called a “worker”. As I posted below. ACAS lists the differences between employee and worker. The employer can change the contract of an employee by agreement but in this case, if termed a “worker” there’s a number of things they are not protected from - unfair dismissal being one. So the employer can ask the op to change to the same status as everyone else and doesn’t continue to get perks others don’t get. That’s fair to everyone.

Contact ACAS and try all the Union's as the NHS relies on bank staff on zero hours staff and so many people will be forced into permanent jobs they don’t want.
I don’t think they can do this to you, but you need to check with the likes of Unison and the Nursing Unions

Sounds like the new manager is a better manager than the previous one and trying to make things more legal employment wise. You don't sound like a team player as you do the hours you choose and refuse to cover Christmas for ten years.

Yes and no

Her employer is not just documenting the current contract but rather her employer is also trying to change the contract (existing unwritten elements) to be something different.