Following last months’ blog, the government have now confirmed how Statutory Neonatal Care and Leave will work alongside existing Family Leave and Pay provisions.
A Re-Cap:
The UK government have introduced a statutory right to Neonatal Care Leave and Pay from April 6, 2025. This will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave if their baby needs neonatal care.
Eligibility
- The baby must be admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth
- The treatment must be for a continuous period of at least seven days
- The leave must be taken within 68 weeks of the baby’s birth
Leave and pay
- The length of neonatal leave is based on how long the baby needs care, up to a maximum of 12 weeks
- Parents can take one week of neonatal leave for each week the baby receives uninterrupted care
- Neonatal care leave is in addition to other entitlements, such as maternity and paternity leave
- Parents who take neonatal leave have the same rights as parents taking other forms of family leave
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP)
As of April 2025, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (NCP) is £187.18 per week, or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. This applies to parents who meet certain service and earnings requirements.
Eligibility
- Have worked for their employer for a minimum of 26 weeks
- Earn on average at least £125 per week
To manage the practicalities, SNCL has been divided into two periods:
Tier one:
First day of neonatal care to the 7th day after neonatal care ceases. SNCL taken during this period does not have to be taken consecutively, so employees can have breaks between periods of leave if tier one continues.
Tier two
Any other SNCL taken during the 68-week period that is not within Tier One i.e. any time during the 68-week period when the baby is not receiving neonatal care or within a week of it ending.
SNCL taken during this period must be taken as a single consecutive block.
Tier Two Notice Requirements
To take a single week of SNCL during Tier Two, no less than 15 days’ notice before the first day of SNCL must be given.
Where two or more consecutive weeks of SNCL are to be taken, no less than 28 days’ notice before the first day of SNCL must be given.
How will NeoNatal Care Leave and Pay work with existing Family Leave and Pay?
Neonatal Care Leave can be taken once other types of Family Leave are over and up to 68 weeks following the birth of the child.
EXAMPLE:
Assume the child is born after April 6, 2025, and has received neonatal care for 6 continuous weeks from the date of birth (6 weeks SNCL is accrued)
Tier One: Commences the date of birth to the 7th day following the end of neonatal care (end of week seven).
Tier Two: any accrued but unused SNCL can be taken from Week 8 – Week 68.
Maternity example:
An employee takes 39 weeks of maternity leave starting from the birth of the baby. As maternity leave cannot be interrupted, they must take the accrued SNCL later. They can choose to return to work at the end of their maternity leave and use the six weeks’ SNCL at any point ending with week 68 (providing the required notice).
Paternity example:
The employee takes two weeks’ paternity leave from the date of the birth. When the paternity leave finishes, they choose to take 2 of the 6 weeks SNCL they have accrued. They take this immediately after the paternity leave ends and then return to work.
The remaining four weeks of NCL will fall in tier two and must be taken in a continuous block (providing the required notice).
Still confused? Give us a call.
thehelens@complexhr.co.uk
