Neonatal Care Leave
What is neonatal care leave? Understand the new right to leave and pay when your baby needs neonatal care.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
Neonatal care leave provides vital support to parents whose babies need specialist care after birth.
What Is Neonatal Care Leave?
Overview
From April 2025:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New right | Additional leave entitlement |
| When baby in neonatal care | Hospital care after birth |
| Duration | Up to 12 weeks |
| Day-one right | No qualifying service |
Purpose
To allow parents:
- To be with baby during neonatal care
- Without using maternity/paternity leave
- Additional to existing leave
- Paid if eligible
Eligibility
Leave Eligibility
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Employee | Must be an employee |
| Baby in neonatal care | Starts within 28 days of birth |
| Care duration | At least 7 continuous days |
| Day-one right | No service requirement |
Who Can Take It
| Person | Entitled? |
|---|---|
| Mother | Yes (additional to maternity) |
| Father | Yes |
| Partner | Yes |
| Intended parents (surrogacy) | Yes |
Both Parents
Both can take neonatal care leave:
- Each gets their own entitlement
- Can take at same time
- Or at different times
- Up to 12 weeks each
What Counts as Neonatal Care
Qualifying Care
| Type | Included |
|---|---|
| Neonatal unit care | Hospital NICU/SCBU |
| Ongoing hospital care | After initial period |
| Medical necessity | Treatment for condition |
When Care Must Start
| Timing | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Start | Within 28 days of birth |
| Duration | At least 7 continuous days |
| Location | Neonatal care setting |
How Much Leave
Entitlement
| Duration | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 week |
| Maximum | 12 weeks |
| Based on | Days of neonatal care |
| Calculation | 1 week per week of care |
Calculation
| Neonatal Care Period | Leave Entitlement |
|---|---|
| 1 week | 1 week |
| 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| 12+ weeks | 12 weeks (maximum) |
Taking Leave
When to Take
| Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| During neonatal care | From when care starts |
| After neonatal care | Within 68 weeks of birth |
| Flexibility | In blocks or continuously |
Blocks of Leave
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 week blocks |
| Can split | Multiple periods |
| Must complete | Within 68 weeks |
Notice Requirements
| Notice | Detail |
|---|---|
| Urgent/unexpected | As soon as reasonably practicable |
| Planned | Reasonable advance notice |
| Employer can set | Reasonable requirements |
Neonatal Care Pay
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP)
| Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate | £184.03 (or 90% if lower) |
| Duration | Matching leave taken |
| Maximum | 12 weeks |
Eligibility for Pay
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| 26 weeks' service | By qualifying week |
| Earning £123+/week | Average earnings |
| Give notice | As required |
If Not Eligible for Pay
| Position | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Unpaid leave | Still entitled |
| Up to 12 weeks | Same duration |
| Job protection | Same as paid |
Combined with Other Leave
Additional To
| Existing Leave | Neonatal Care |
|---|---|
| Maternity leave | On top of 52 weeks |
| Paternity leave | On top of 2 weeks |
| Shared parental | Additional |
| Adoption leave | Additional |
Example: Mother
| Leave Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Maternity leave | 52 weeks |
| Neonatal care leave | Up to 12 weeks |
| Total possible | Up to 64 weeks |
Example: Father/Partner
| Leave Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Paternity leave | 2 weeks |
| Neonatal care leave | Up to 12 weeks |
| Parental leave | Additional |
Job Protection
Rights During Leave
| Protection | Scope |
|---|---|
| Employment continues | Throughout |
| Terms maintained | As if working |
| Return rights | Same job (usually) |
| No detriment | For taking leave |
Return to Work
| After | Right |
|---|---|
| Neonatal leave only | Same job |
| Combined with other leave | May be suitable alternative |
Practical Steps
When Baby Needs Care
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Inform employer | As soon as possible |
| Provide information | About care situation |
| Request leave | When needed |
| Keep employer updated | On care progress |
Documentation
| Evidence | May Include |
|---|---|
| Hospital letter | Confirming neonatal care |
| Duration | Of care received |
| Declaration | That conditions met |
If Problems Arise
Employer Refusal
| If Refused | Action |
|---|---|
| Understand reason | Ask for explanation |
| Check eligibility | Do you qualify? |
| Raise grievance | If appropriate |
| Seek advice | ACAS, union |
Protection from Detriment
| Unlawful | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Dismissal | For taking leave |
| Detriment | Because of leave |
| Discrimination | Related to neonatal care |
Tips for Parents
Planning
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Know your rights | Before needed |
| Discuss with employer | Early |
| Keep records | Of care dates |
| Understand pay | Eligibility |
Communication
| Good Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Regular updates | Maintain relationship |
| Written confirmation | Document arrangements |
| Be clear about needs | Get support |
For Employers
Obligations
| Duty | Action |
|---|---|
| Allow leave | When conditions met |
| Pay SNCP | If eligible |
| Protect job | During leave |
| Record keeping | Maintain records |
Good Practice
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Supportive approach | Employee wellbeing |
| Clear policy | Everyone knows rules |
| Flexible | Where possible |
| Regular contact | Appropriate level |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entitlement | Up to 12 weeks |
| Eligibility | Day-one right for leave |
| Pay | If 26 weeks' service + earnings |
| Additional | To other family leave |
| Protection | From dismissal/detriment |
Related answers
Maternity Leave Entitlement UK
All pregnant employees in the UK are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of length of service. Learn your rights and your employer's obligations.
Paternity Leave and Pay UK: Employer's Guide
Statutory paternity leave and pay explained. Eligibility, how much, notice requirements, and recent changes making it a day-one right from April 2024.
Statutory Paternity Pay
What is Statutory Paternity Pay? Understand SPP rates, eligibility, and how to claim paternity pay in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is neonatal care leave?
- Neonatal care leave is a new right (from April 2025) allowing parents up to 12 weeks of additional leave when their baby is in neonatal care. It's on top of existing maternity, paternity, and parental leave entitlements.
- Who qualifies for neonatal care leave?
- Employees whose baby receives neonatal care within 28 days of birth, and the care lasts at least 7 continuous days. Both parents can take the leave - it's a day-one right with no qualifying service required.
- Is neonatal care leave paid?
- Statutory neonatal care pay is available for eligible employees (26 weeks' service, earning £123+/week). The rate is the same as other statutory family pay (£184.03 or 90% of earnings). Those not eligible for pay still get unpaid leave.