Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Just like any other employee, when a nanny is absent from work due to sickness they are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

From April 2026 there are some changes to how Statutory Sick Pay is calculated. The information provided here is based on the 2026/2027 tax year.

When SSP is due

SSP is paid for the days that the employee would normally have worked. Previously the first three days of sickness were typically unpaid, with these three days being known as 'waiting days'.

From April 2026 onward, SSP is paid from the first full day of sickness.

If your nanny is sick within an eight week period of a previous sickness, this will be considered a linked period of sickness.

Nannies that have jobs with more than one family will get SSP from each employer.

How it is paid

SSP is paid in the same way as the nanny's normal salary (weekly or monthly), a payslip is provided as normal and Tax and National Insurance will be deducted in the usual way.

Employers will need to make us aware of the sickness so that we can adjust the payslip to reflect this.

How much it is

SSP will be calculated as 80% of an employee’s average weekly earnings or the flat rate of SSP (£123.25 for the 2026/27 tax year), whichever is lower.

To calculate the daily rate of SSP, you should divide this figure by the number of days that your employee works for you per week. The employee will receive the full £123.25 (or 80% of their average weekly earnings) per week gross regardless of how many days or hours they work per week.

Who can and cannot qualify

To qualify employees must:

• be classed as an employee and have done some work for their employer.

• inform their employer within 7 days or by their employer's deadline (if they have one stipulated in their Contract of Employment).

Employees cannot qualify if:

• they have already received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks).

• have taken 3 years or more 'linked periods' of sickness - to be linked, the periods of sickness must be 8 weeks apart or less.

• are receiving Statutory Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Pay.