Understanding neonatal care leave and pay
Stephanie Pote · Posted on: March 19th 2025 · read
A reminder that Neonatal Care Leave was introduced on 6 April 2025. This is a new statutory right which gives eligible parents up to 12 weeks’ leave when their baby requires specialist care after birth.
The leave is in addition to any maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave entitlements so as to relieve pressure on parents who otherwise would have to use their annual leave or return to work while their baby was still in hospital. According to the Government, this new right is expected to support around 60,000 parents per year.
It applies to parents of babies born on or after 6 April 2025; this includes adopted babies, and babies born to surrogates under a Parental Responsibility Order.
Eligible parents are those whose baby is admitted to hospital within 28 days of birth and remains in hospital for at least seven consecutive days. Parents with at least 26 weeks’ service by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due and who earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit (currently £123 per week) will also be entitled to Statutory Neonatal Pay at the prevailing statutory rate.
There are differing rules and entitlements for births, UK adoptions and overseas adoptions, including what happens if parents wish to cancel their Neonatal Care Leave.
Our HR specialist final thoughts
"HR Solutions can supply you with Neonatal Care Leave policies for both birth and adoption. We can also provide you with the relevant forms to be used in the event of an employee wishing to take or subsequently cancel Neonatal Care Leave."
