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Sick pay for support staff

Find out about statutory and occupational sick pay for your support staff, including who's eligible, how much they can get, and how to calculate it.

Last reviewed on 10 April 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 3103
Contents
  1. Who can get statutory sick pay (SSP)?
  2. How much SSP can employees get? 
  3. What about term-time only workers?
  4. Staff employed under the Green Book

Who can get statutory sick pay (SSP)?

Support staff are entitled to SSP if they: 

  • Are classed as employed for tax purposes (use the HM Revenue & Customs tool to check someone's employment status if you're unsure) and have done some work for their employer (have started work)
  • Have been sick for at least 1 full working day
  • Have told their employer they're sick within any deadline set by the employer (or within 7 days, if the employer has not set a deadline)

There are a few exceptions, set out on this GOV.UK page. If your employee does not qualify for SSP you must send them form SSP1 within 7 days of their first day off sick.

From day 1 of their illness. They no longer need to have been off sick for at least 4 days in a row Regardless of their weekly earnings. There is