Maternity Scheme

The scheme provides an alternative and potentially cheaper method for insuring matters such as maternity/paternity and adoption leave.

The scheme 2025 – 2028 is in its tenth year of operation. Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pooling Scheme

What do you know about The ConnectEd Partnership Maternity Paternity & Adoption Leave Pooling Scheme 2025 – 2028 (3 years at fixed rates)

✅ Overview

• Type: In-house, self-funded, not-for-profit pooled scheme. Unrivalled throughout the UK
• Purpose: To help schools manage the financial risk and cost of staff maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and neonatal leave
• Duration: Fixed 3-year contract (2025–2028)
• Membership: Only for ConnectEd Partnership member schools
• Year of Operation: Entering 10th year in 2025
• Claim Form: updated Maternity Scheme 2025-28 claim form 

💡 How the Scheme Works

• Schools pay a fixed premium based on claims history.
• Premiums are pooled; funds are shared across all members.
• Schools that overspend (i.e. have more leave claims than their premium covered) are supported by schools that underspend.
• No additional charge is applied unless there’s an overall scheme overspend. This is in the  proportion to overspent schools.

🔄 Coverage

• Covers full salary costs, Employer’s National Insurance, and Employer’s Pension contributions.
• Includes:
• All contracted Teachers and non-teaching staff (except Lunchtime Supervisors).
• Headteachers.
• Shared Parental Leave.
• Apprentices (from April 2025, if on a 2-year contract).
• Neonatal Leave (from April 2025).

📈 Premium & Financial Management

• Fixed premium for 2025–2028 is the same as the 2022–2025 rate.
• Prior financial years (2019/20, 2021/22, 2022/23) were not overspent, showing strong fund management.
• Underspend from 2023–2024 has rolled into 2025–2026 for renewing schools.
• Prompt payment of premiums is crucial to ensure timely reimbursements.

📊 Risk & Benefits

• Pooled risk model helps reduce individual school exposure.
• Winners & losers: Some schools may benefit more than their premium; others less. However, over time the scheme aims to balance out.
• The larger the number of participating schools, the lower the risk of overspend.

⚠️ Key Considerations vs. Commercial Providers

• Many commercial schemes:
• Only pay partial contributions (not full salary or on-costs).
• May not include Shared Parental or Neonatal Leave.
• Could have higher premiums or complex exclusions.
• This scheme:
• Offers comprehensive coverage.
• Is not for profit, aiming to pass value back to members.
• Has transparent rules and a proven track record of avoiding overspends.
• Has no ceiling applied to claims

🔐 Important Notes

• This document is internal to ConnectEd member schools.
• Not to be shared with commercial providers.

📞 Contact & Next Steps

Connected Partnership, Maternity Paternity & Adoption Leave Pooling Scheme

helen.perkins@connectedpartnership.com

Direct T: 01902 290154

Main T: 01902 290150