NEWS FLASH
On Monday 20th January, the Government confirmed that working families with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time off as a day one right.
As of April 2025, parents of newborns who need neonatal care will have access to a new statutory right to paid leave.
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. Both parents will be eligible for leave and pay and any leave can be taken in addition to other maternity, paternity and shared parental leave entitlements.
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to employees who meet the eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum of £123 per week and have at least 26 weeks of continuous service with their employer.
The government has laid regulations to implement the change, which subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6 April 2025 and follows the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023.
It’s important to note that whilst the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 has been on the statute books since May 2023, further regulations are needed to understand the finer details about how it will work in practice.
The Government must confirm several regulations around the details of this legislation including any notice employees will need to give of their intention to take the leave as well as what evidence they will need to provide.
Once final details and regulations have been confirmed, we’ll be issuing our clients with amended Family Leave Polices. They know they’re safe hands.
Get in touch if you’d like to know more – or need us to review your existing Family Leave Policies.
thehelens@complexhr.co.uk
