Thousands of working families with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time off as a day one right.
Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer. These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave (and, if eligible, pay) on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.
This change will take effect from 6 April 2025 and follows the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023.
Alongside the leave entitlement, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.
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