Want another baby but started a new job as a teacher

Tatan13 · 2022-09-02T16:11:42+00:00

Looking for advice. I’m starting a new job this month after being in my previous job for over 10 years as a teacher. Does anyone know how long I need to be employed in order to claim for SMP? Thank you for your time.

frenchie4002 · 02/09/2022 20:14

26 weeks I believe
but you could get maternity allowance

RockCrushesLizard · 02/09/2022 20:25

If your previous school and this school are local authority schools, it counts as continuous service, so you are good straight away...

Seemslikeaniceday · 02/09/2022 20:55

I always advise have one period after you start and then start TTC. This way you will meet the requirements for SMP.

Original poster

Tatan13 · 03/09/2022 07:38

They are different local authorities. So wouldn’t be classed as continuous service. What I’ve read online is 26 weeks then I’d qualify. I believe maternity allowance isn’t anywhere as much money so that’s why I was looking as to when I would qualify for SMP.
Thank you for your replies.

OP posts:

QueenofLouisiana · 03/09/2022 07:45

It is 26 weeks, but you’d not what to take may leave until 30+ weeks into pregnancy anyway? So as a PP suggested, start TTC after your next period. Then you would have been in post when you became pregnant and would qualify.
I got this wrong and didn’t wait for a period after starting a new job (actually we’d been trying over a year and it was a bit of a surprise). I was still given my mat pay as I had been employed by the same LA for 8 years, but more as a gesture of goodwill (and we had a good office manager!). It was complicated and I won’t go into it all, but try to avoid this situation.

LionessesRules · 03/09/2022 07:51

So long as you aren't pregnant when you start (and remember pregnancies are dated from the start of your period before you conceive) you will get SMP.
It's very unlikely you will get any additional pay at that stage tho.

Bananas52 · 03/09/2022 08:04

I fell pregnant the week after I started my job, and so I just missed out on SMP. As others suggested, I would try and wait for a period if possible.

Original poster

Tatan13 · 03/09/2022 09:19

I was looking into TTC in March 2023 as then would have been in post over 26 weeks. Nothing is to say I’d get pregnant right a way. I just wanted to make sure they’d honour me getting SMP.

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Seemslikeaniceday · 03/09/2022 09:57

Do you get Occupational Mat Pay? If so worth checking out the qualification requirements as these can be 12 months.

JerryGarcia · 03/09/2022 10:21

Tatan13 · 03/09/2022 07:38

They are different local authorities. So wouldn’t be classed as continuous service. What I’ve read online is 26 weeks then I’d qualify. I believe maternity allowance isn’t anywhere as much money so that’s why I was looking as to when I would qualify for SMP.
Thank you for your replies.

This isn't true. Continuous service counts across local authorities so long as you go from one LA school to another local authority school. I got pregnant v soon after starting a new job, but I'd been teaching in a different LA for 6 years and I still got full mat rights. Call HR/union if you want reassurance. Or check the burgundy book but I've done all this already so I know it's true

Original poster

Tatan13 · 03/09/2022 11:03

Oh my, I thought as they are classed as different councils it isn’t classed as continuous service. I’ve read the burgundy book but honestly it’s not making any sense to me at the moment. I just feel like I am reading so many things.
tha k you for your reply.

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Username3008 · 04/09/2022 22:17

The whole 26 weeks thing is rather confusing. The best way to look at it, as other posters have mentioned is that as long as you have a period when you start and then get pregnant after, then you're good.

Velmasglasses · 04/09/2022 22:19

I got Maternity allowance with DS2 and it was the same as SMP.

Theimpossiblegirl · 04/09/2022 22:20

Is your contact permanent? I'd consider waiting a year if not.

Albanyriver · 04/09/2022 22:23

Check your contract as it should have a start date, and start date of continuous service. When I moved LA to academy, the academy honoured continuous service (as I was concerned about potential redundancies). Then again, perhaps there is more negotiating power in a shortage subject, although there was no negotiation, they willingly said yes when I asked for it.

JerryGarcia · 05/09/2022 07:00

Tatan13 · 03/09/2022 11:03

Oh my, I thought as they are classed as different councils it isn’t classed as continuous service. I’ve read the burgundy book but honestly it’s not making any sense to me at the moment. I just feel like I am reading so many things.
tha k you for your reply.

Section 8.2

Want another baby but started a new job as a teacher

ShowLess · 05/09/2022 07:10

You don’t need to wait 26 weeks to start TTC.

Original poster

Tatan13 · 08/09/2022 21:22

It is permanent. Just confused as moving from different LAs.

OP posts:

Original poster

Tatan13 · 06/10/2022 19:11

I contacted my union as suggested and this is what they said - still none the wiser.
I’ve now been in post at my new school over a month am I good to go to SMP? 🤣
Thank you for your help x

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AlwaysFoldingWashing · 06/10/2022 19:20

It's usually 26 weeks but you need to be in longer to qualify for enhanced maternity pay in some places. When I was on mat leave, the enhanced payment was 50% pay for an additional 18 weeks if I remember correctly so it may be worth checking that out too as it can be a big difference

GoldenElephant · 06/10/2022 22:59

Yes you can get cracking!

tealandteal · 09/10/2022 14:28

You are ok for SMP but would need to check re OMP as this usually has a longer requirement.

Shinyandnew1 · 09/10/2022 14:34

They are different local authorities. So wouldn’t be classed as continuous service.

I don’t think that’s the case if they are both LEA-they will honour the previous service.