In February 2025, regulations passed into law that mean statutory neonatal care leave and pay will come into effect from 6 April 2025. 

Neonatal care leave allows employees who have a newborn baby (born on or after 6 April 2025) receiving neonatal care to preserve their other family leave entitlements. Access to neonatal care leave is a day-one right for all eligible employees. 

For the purposes of leave, neonatal care must last for at least seven consecutive days, starting before the end of 28 days beginning with the day after the child’s birth. 

Neonatal care is described as “any medical care received in a hospital, palliative or end of life care and, under certain circumstances, care received outside of hospital”. 

Employees with parental or other prescribed responsibility for the child are entitled to take one week of leave for each consecutive seven days the child receives neonatal care, up to a  maximum of 12 weeks’ leave, which has to be taken before the end of 68 weeks beginning with the child’s date of birth.  

Employees will be required to give notice of their intention to take leave. 

Neonatal care leave is in addition to other statutory family leave entitlements, meaning employees can add any accrued neonatal care leave on to the end of any other entitlement they are taking, for example Maternity Leave.  

Subject to further eligibility criteria, employees taking neonatal care leave may also be entitled to receive up to 12 weeks of Statutory Neonatal Care Pay. This statutory pay is paid at the same rate as other family leave payments, such as maternity or paternity pay. 

Employers should note that it will be unfair to dismiss an employee who exercises their right to take neonatal care leave. 

If you would like a copy of our neo natal care policy – PLEASE GET IN TOUCH HERE.