Being made redundant 3 months before due date!

[knkn2025]

Hi!
I am going to be made redundant around 3 months before my due date for my second child.
We currently receive 15 hours free childcare for my 2 year old and I’d really like to keep him in his childcare (we couldn’t afford it without the free help if I’m not earning).
I will try to get a short term, part time job in the 3 months after I’m made redundant to meet the criteria for 15 hours but realistically who is going to employ a 6 month pregnant lady?! And would this then entitle me still while on maternity?
so my question is, is there anyway we can still receive the 15 hours free childcare for my 2 year old considering I will technically be unemployed for the 3 months before going on ‘maternity’?
I will reach out to the relevant government people but wondered if anyone had any experience? :)

You say around 3 months but what’s the exact time between your due date and the redundancy date? You can start maternity leave 11 weeks before your DD, is that possible?

When does he turn 3? And when does your current code expire? They get a universal 15 hours the term after turning 3 so you might be OK or have a very short gap to cover?

@Sofiewoo according to my EDD it would be 12 weeks, 3 days from being unemployed to giving birth so unfortunately I’ll be unemployed by the time I can go on maternity!

@ScrewedByFunding he’s only just turned 2, not turning 3 until April next year! And I think my code will expire in July, so could renew until October but not sure if I’m ‘allowed’ to do that if I know I won’t be employed in that time?

I don't know exactly how the declaration is phrased hut probably not. You'll be covered by the grace period until the end of term in July/ August whenever your setting closes.

I know this is not quite what you are asking, but I think if you are employed during the 'Qualifying Week' which is 15 weeks before your due date, your employer has to pay SMP.

This organisation might be able to advise. https://maternityaction.org.uk/

Why are you being made redundant? Do you have a maternity discrimination case?

Worth noting that you are in a protected position from redundancy during pregnancy, maternity leave and for 18 months after the birth of your child. Your employer has to offer you any alternative vacancy that you could reasonably do, as long as it is not on worse terms than your current role, before any other employee is considered. Your redundancy protections are quite strong when you're pregnant. What's your situation? Are you on a permanent role? Why are you being made redundant?

@RainyAfternoon thank you. Yes I’m hoping j will be covered from a maternity pay POV, but it’s more the childcare costs I’m concerned about!
Thank you for the link.. I will check it out!

@MsCactus no discrimination. I found out about the redundancy before I was pregnant!

@MsCactus thank you. They’re unfortunately shutting down my place of work so the redundancies are part of that. This happened before I became pregnant.
i am in a full time, permanent role but there are no other suitable alternatives so from that perspective it is all covered

Ahh OK I see! Good luck, hope you find a temp job for the last few months x

If you are receiving SMP from your employer, are you not “technically” still employed while you are on maternity leave?

Did you say your funding code ends in July? If so it's likely to have a grace period which will kick in and cover you until 31st December meaning you can continue to access the 15hrs funding until the end of the Auutumn term.

@YourWiseSheep oh really? I hope so! I’ve not been able to find anything re a grace period, only 31 days if you know you’re going into a new role. Do you have a link to anywhere I can see that info? Thank you x

@KnickerFolder I don’t think so? I’ll only receive the SMP as I’ll still be employed by them at the threshold (15 weeks before your due date)