Assumptions and pay data
- Grey Book, 7th edition, Section 4 Part D paras 20 and 21. Brigade managers are on Gold Book terms.
- Pound figures use the pay shown and 2026/27 SMP of £194.32 a week; they are gross, before tax and pension.
Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Calculator
EnglandFire and rescue authorityFramework from 1/7/2026
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Guide for Brigade Manager
This guide summarises enhanced maternity and paternity pay that typically applies to Brigade Manager under Fire and Rescue pay (NJC) at Fire & Rescue. Eligibility and exact terms depend on your contract and length of service.
Family leave for Brigade Manager
As Brigade Manager at Fire & Rescue, enhanced maternity and paternity usually follow Fire and Rescue. Typical enhanced maternity includes 26 weeks at full pay. Grey Book Section 4 Part D para 21: with a year's continuous local government service at the 11th week before the baby is due, 6 weeks at full pay, then a further 20 weeks at full pay if you say you will return (SMP counts towards both), then 13 weeks of SMP. You must return for at least 3 months or may have to repay some or all of the 20 weeks. If you do not plan to return, you get SMP for the 33 weeks after the first 6. With less service, SMP only. Enhanced paternity is often 1 week's full pay, subject to eligibility and notice rules. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) are legal minimums; occupational schemes may top up or run alongside them.
Eligibility and service
Enhanced schemes often require continuous service (commonly 12 months at the qualifying week). Return-to-work conditions and Keeping in Touch (KIT) days vary. Always read your contract and HR policy.
Shared parental leave
Shared parental leave and pay have separate rules. This page focuses on maternity and paternity; ask your employer about SPL if you plan to share leave.
Typical entitlement for Brigade Manager
Summary based on Fire and Rescue terms. Your contract may differ.
Maternity (enhanced)
26 weeks full pay. Then Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or Maternity Allowance where eligible, up to 52 weeks total leave.
Grey Book Section 4 Part D para 21: with a year's continuous local government service at the 11th week before the baby is due, 6 weeks at full pay, then a further 20 weeks at full pay if you say you will return (SMP counts towards both), then 13 weeks of SMP. You must return for at least 3 months or may have to repay some or all of the 20 weeks. If you do not plan to return, you get SMP for the 33 weeks after the first 6. With less service, SMP only.
Paternity (enhanced)
1 week full pay (typical enhanced paternity).
Grey Book paras 39 and 40: 1 week of paid maternity support (paternity) leave, with Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) counted towards it. A second week is paid at the SPP rate if you have 26 weeks' continuous local government service at the 14th week before the baby is due.
Grey Book (national fire and rescue terms, 7th edition, 2025), Section 4 Part D. These are national minimums that services can improve. Brigade managers on Gold Book terms get the same Grey Book maternity provisions. Some fire safety officers are support staff on council (Green Book) terms instead.
Statutory minimums are set in law (SMP, SPP). Enhanced pay is what your employer offers on top of or instead of part of the statutory amount, depending on scheme rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much maternity pay would that be?
On £90,000 (the bottom of our illustrative Brigade Manager range), a week's pay is about £1,731. Weeks 1 to 26 pay full pay, about £1,731 a week (£45,000); weeks 27 to 39 pay SMP, about £194 a week (£2,526). That is about £47,526 over 39 weeks before tax, against £15,759 from SMP alone.
What if I do not qualify?
You get the legal minimum instead. SMP needs 26 weeks with your employer by the 15th week before the baby is due and average earnings of at least £129 a week; without it you may get Maternity Allowance instead (GOV.UK).
Can I work during maternity leave?
Yes, up to 10 keeping in touch (KIT) days without ending your leave or losing SMP (GOV.UK).
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 Brigade Manager?
A Brigade Manager (principal officer grade) sits near the top of a Fire & Rescue Service structure. Exact titles and pay vary by authority.
Typical demands, progression and balance
Brigade/principal roles involve service-wide leadership, governance and operational readiness.
What enhanced maternity or paternity pay do I get?
Many public sector employers offer enhanced pay on top of statutory maternity or paternity pay. Use the calculator above to see typical entitlement for your sector. Check your employer and contract for exact terms.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not legal or HR advice. Your contract and your employer's policy decide your actual entitlement.