Local government mat leave cover

[Jobdilemma99]

I've always worked private sector but have just been offered a role to cover a maternity leave in local council. Am I right in assuming that if the person I'm covering for chooses to come back after mat leave that I'll be out of a job? Or if you make a good impression do they usually try to find you something else internally?

Once you’re in local government, you’ll have access to a jobs board of internal vacancies. Jobs generally get listed internally before they go external so you’d have an advantage on getting something else but it wouldn’t be guaranteed. Also local government have much less flexibility on creating a role for someone they want to keep as jobs have to be approved by lots of different people due to spending public money. If your role is specialist or in shortage then you might be fine, but I’d be prepared to look for something else.