Assumptions and pay data
- JNC for Chief Officers handbook (8/8/2017), Part 2 para 4: a minimum of 30 days a year, which includes any long-service leave, extra statutory days and local holidays. Statutory and other public holidays come on top.
- Your council sets your leave locally and may give more. If your post is graded on the NJC Green Book instead, the Green Book scale applies.
- The JNC handbook does not set weekly hours, so a day here is a fifth of 37 hours: 7.4 hours, and 30 days is 222 hours.
- Part-time: leave days and public holidays are pro-rated by your contracted hours against 37. In hours, that is the full-time days multiplied by a fifth of your weekly hours.
Annual Leave Calculator
England (NJC illustrative)Local authority / NJCFramework from 1/4/2026
Loading calculator…
Guide for Head of Service
This guide summarises contractual annual leave for Head of Service under Local Government pay (NJC) at Councils. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata share based on contracted hours.
Annual leave for Head of Service
As Head of Service at Councils, annual leave usually follows Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Chief Officers. A full-time employee with around three years' service might receive about 30 days (222 hours at typical full-time hours) per year, before pro-rating for part-time hours. Chief officers' leave is set by each council under the JNC, so treat this as the national minimum and check your contract. Bank holiday treatment varies; check whether they are included in the stated total. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata share based on contracted weekly hours.
Example scenario
Example at 2 years' service and 37 hours a week: 30 days plus 8 public holidays, the JNC chief officer minimum
| Sector terms (example) | Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Chief Officers |
|---|---|
| Years of service (example) | 2 |
| Annual leave days (example) | 30 |
| Hours (full-time example) | 222 |
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do council chief officers get?
At least 30 days a year under the JNC handbook, plus 8 public holidays in England and Wales: 38 days off in total. There is no national service step, but many councils give chief officers more, so check your contract.
Why is there no extra leave after 5 years?
Because the JNC minimum of 30 days already includes any long-service leave. The Green Book's extra days after 5 years apply to staff graded on the NJC scale, not chief officers.
How is part-time leave worked out?
In proportion to your hours. At 18.5 hours a week (half of 37), 30 days becomes 15 days, or 111 hours: 30 days at your own day length of 3.7 hours. Public holidays work the same way: 4 days, or 29.6 hours.
Which other terms apply to chief officers?
Part 2 para 1 of the JNC handbook says chief officers' other terms should be no less favourable than other council staff's, and the Green Book applies where nothing is set locally, for example for sick pay.
What if I start or leave part way through the year?
Open “Pro-rate to part of the year” and enter the months in this period. Your council's leave year and rounding rules decide the exact figure.
Do you store my information?
Your calculator inputs and results stay in your browser and are not stored. We only collect your name and email if you choose to give them, for example to download your results or sign up for email updates. We store them with MailerLite, our email provider, along with the page you were on. See our privacy policy.
About this role
What is a Head of Service?
A Head of Service leads a major service or directorate in a local authority. Pay is on chief officer or senior management scales.
Typical demands, progression and balance
Headship offers council-wide impact. Pay and satisfaction depend on authority and service. Progression to director or chief executive is common.
What is my annual leave entitlement?
Use the figures on this page for your sector’s leave rules, including pro-rata for part-time where that applies. Teachers under STPCD use directed time and school holidays instead of a separate leave pot. Always check your contract or school calendar for exact dates.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not legal or HR advice. Your contract and your employer's policy decide your actual entitlement.