Neonatal Care Leave

To support families with babies in neonatal care, the Government will be providing eligible parents with up to 12 weeks’ leave and pay, allowing parents to stay with their baby while in the hospital.

With effect from the 6th of April 2025, the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 comes into effect, which gives eligible parents a day-one right to receive Neonatal Care Leave (NCL) if their baby has been admitted into neonatal care within the first 28 days of birth, and the care continues for at least seven continuous days.

To be eligible, the employee must be either the baby’s parent or intended parent, or a partner of the baby’s mother who has responsibility for raising the child.

The maximum amount of NCL available for eligible employees is 12 weeks of leave, which must be taken within the first 68 weeks of the baby’s birth. This is in addition to any other leave they would have otherwise been entitled to, such as maternity or paternity leave.

On top of NCL, employees can also receive Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) if they have at least 26 weeks of continuous service and meet the minimum earnings threshold (at least £123 a week).

SNCP will be paid at the same rate as other family-friendly leave, such as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

During NCL, employees are entitled to remain on the same terms and conditions of employment, save for pay.

They will also receive the same protections as other forms of family-friendly leave.

In preparation for the new legislation around neonatal care, employers should ensure that they have policies and procedures in place to cover the new right.