Been offered work before baby is born but after maternity leave and pay has started

[SusanAndBinkyRideForth]

I'm a supply teacher (agency worker) and due to being increasingly knackered and battered by SPD I asked to start maternity leave early. - 8 weeks before baby is due.

However I've been asked by one of the schools I regularly work at to do 2 weeks after this date.

It is now less than 28 days until I start maternity leave.

From what I make out from the gov page, I am allowed to work during SMP period before baby is born, as long as it is for a different employer? So the school could employ me directly?

Is there anyone who can tell me if my understanding of this is correct?

www.gov.uk/government/publications/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance

...OR... can I change my start of maternity leave to a later date as long as the new date is more than 28 days away, even though the original date is less than 28 days?

I'm struggling with a virus and migraine today so can't seem to process the webpage properly...

You can do 10 Keep in Touch Days without losing your mat pay, and I understand these can be done before or after the baby is actually born

That may be a simple solution?

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/keeping-in-touch-days/

hmm for some reason I had it in my head that KIT days were for the end of ML to prepare for returning. Yes that might work :) Thanks