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Employment law -ASYE (qualifying year) as a social worker and pregnancy related sick leave

4 replies

firsttimepregnanthelp · 07/02/2026 17:33

Hi everyone, I am currently doing my ASYE year which is due to end in May although I have been working in my team since last Feb, it was just that my SAAM meeting was delayed.

I am expecting a baby at the end of April and plan to go on mat leave 2 weeks before. It seemed that I would be able to complete by ASYE at this stage as long as I had done the required paperwork and training. This week I have had to go off sick as I am on a reduced movements pathway which means lots more appointments, and I have terrible pelvic girdle pain and these things are not compatible with running around doing emergency visits and responding to crises. I hope to only be off for a few weeks.

I intend to make sure all my ASYE paperwork is done before I go on mat leave to evidence the required learning, training and supervison but will this time off sick and mat leave before a year since the SAAM affect my completion of the ASYE year or is my pregnancy a protected characteristic which means being off sick won’t affect it?

I really need to complete my ASYE before I go off ON mat leave so that my pay goes up and I get the higher level of OMP. I will have to go back to work next week if the sick leave does affect it but I won’t be able to do much - I have 5 appointments next week and can’t drive due to the severeness of my PGP. My mental health is also suffering due to the worry re reduced movements.

Obvs I have asked my assessor this but she hasn't replied yet and I am getting anxious so thought I'd ask on here.

OP posts:
Jellybunny56 · 07/02/2026 20:44

The time off wouldn’t necessarily impact it as long as it does not impact your ability to meet the criteria. If because of the time off sick etc you are not able to meet the hours/training/supervision then that would impact it though, and it would push sign off back.

firsttimepregnanthelp · 08/02/2026 00:08

@Jellybunny56there’s not a required number of hours to complete although it is called ‘ASYE year’. All my training bar one will be completed (they pushed one back so this is not my fault and my assessor said I wouldn’t be penalised for it) and all the paperwork my end in terms of meeting the professional standards will be completed so fingers crossed I’ll be ok. Thank you for replying

OP posts:
Needanadultgapyear · 08/02/2026 07:55

Having you double checked how your OMP is calculated as it is often using the qualifying weeks for SMP spa pay rise just before maternity leave wouldn’t change it.

firsttimepregnanthelp · 08/02/2026 13:18

@Needanadultgapyearyes HR said I’d get the higher rate of OMP but not the other part

OP posts:
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