Family rights

Maternity rights and entitlements available to teachers and support staff in schools and colleges.

Paternity leave and pay for teachers and support staff in schools and colleges.

This advice provides guidance on parental bereavement leave and pay for teachers and support staff members in schools or colleges, including eligibility, length of leave, and notification requirements.

Flexible working is not only beneficial for workers and employers, but also for pupils, quality of care and education.

All teachers in Northern Ireland are entitled to one years’ maternity leave consisting of 26 weeks ordinary and 26 weeks additional leave.

The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Act 2015 provides an opportunity for parents to take advantage of additional flexibility in the way they choose to care for a new arrival to the family.