Golden Hello T&C's

1. Introduction

 

1.1 These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the Golden Hello Payment Scheme ("the Scheme") offered by Milton Keynes City Council ("the Authority") to eligible newly appointed employees within Children Services.

 

1.2 The Scheme aims to attract and retain qualified Social Workers in identified priority service areas within the Authority.

 

1.3 These Terms form part of the employment contract between the Authority and the eligible Social Worker ("the Employee").

 

2. Eligibility

 

2.1 The Scheme is available exclusively to qualified Social Workers who:

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a) Are newly appointed to the Authority; and

 

b) Have accepted a role within one of the following teams:

i. Family Support Team (FST) including Contextual Safeguarding

ii. Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

iii. Children in Care (CiC)

 

C) Have accepted a role designated within these teams.

i. Service Manager, grade L

ii. Team Manager, grade K

iii. Deputy Team Manager, grade J

iv. Senior Practitioner, grade I

v. Social Worker, grades G & H

 

2.2 Newly Qualified Social Workers (ASYE) working in the above teams do not qualify for a Golden Hello payment.

 

2.3 The ‘Golden Hello’ payment may be made to qualified Social Workers who have previously worked for the Authority, whether through an agency or direct employment.

 

2.4 Existing employees of the Authority who transfer to an eligible role/team are not eligible for the Scheme neither are employees who leave the Authority at the start of the scheme (April 2025) and seek to re-join the Authority within a period of two years.

 

2.5 The Authority reserves the right to determine which positions and teams qualify for the Golden Hello payment.

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3. Payment details

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3.1 Eligible employees will receive a one-time Golden Hello Payment of £6,000 (six thousand pounds), subject to pension, tax and National Insurance deductions as required by law. These payments cannot be deferred or made retrospectively. This payment will be pro rata for part time roles.

 

3.2 The payment will be made in full upon the Authority's receipt of the Employee's and the Authority’s signed acceptance of the employment offer and these Terms.

 

3.3 The payment will be paid in the first normal monthly salary provided that a copy of the signed agreement has been received by Human Resources.

 

3.4 The payment is considered additional remuneration and will be processed through the Authority's payroll system.

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4. Clawback Provisions

 

4.1 The employee agrees that the Golden Hello payment is subject to the following clawback provisions:

 

a) If the employee voluntarily terminates their employment with the Authority or internally transfers to a non-qualifying role/ team within 12 months of their start date, they will be required to repay 100% of the gross Golden Hello payment.

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b) If the employee voluntarily terminates their employment with the Authority or internally transfers to a non-qualifying role/ team between 13 months and 17 months (inclusive) of their start date, they will be required to repay 75% of the gross Golden Hello payment.

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c) If the employee voluntarily terminates their employment with the Authority or internally transfers to a non-qualifying role/ team between 18 months and 24 months (inclusive) of their start date, they will be required to repay 50% of the gross Golden Hello Payment.

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d) After 24 months of continuous employment, no repayment will be required.

 

4.2 For the purposes of these Terms, "voluntary termination" includes resignation but excludes:

 

a) Dismissal by the Authority (except in cases of gross misconduct).

b) A decision made by the Authority to transfer the Employee to a non-eligible role/ team.

c) Redundancy.

d) Termination due to ill health or disability.

e) Any other termination not initiated by the Employee.

f) Where the Employee is dismissed for reasons of performance (capability) or sickness absence (capability) a proportion of the Golden Hello payment will be recouped in line with Section 4.1 above.

g) No repayment will be required where an employee is dismissed for reasons of permanent ill health.

 

4.3 Any repayment required under clause 4.1 shall be due within 30 days of the employee's final day of employment with the Authority.

 

4.4 The Authority reserves the right to deduct any repayment amount from the Employee's final salary payment or any other monies owed to the employee, in accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996.

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5. Legislative framework

 

5.1 These Terms are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

 

5.2 These Terms comply with the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Equality Act 2010, and all other relevant UK employment legislation.

 

5.3 The clawback provisions constitute a lawful deduction from wages under section 13 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

 

5.4 Nothing in these Terms shall affect the employee's statutory rights.