- What is neonatal care?
Neonatal care is specialist care given to a newborn baby who is unwell, premature, or needs medical attention after birth. It includes hospital stays in neonatal units, or other consultant- led medical care provided soon after the baby is born.
2. What is neonatal care leave?
It is a new legal right that gives parents time off work to care for their baby who is receiving neonatal care. This leave is in addition to maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
3. When did the new rights start?
The new rights came into force on 6 April 2025 under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023. They apply to babies born on or after that date.
4. Who can take neonatal care leave?
You can take neonatal care leave if:
- You are a parent or have a personal relationship with the baby (for example, the birth parent, the other parent, an adoptive parent, or intended parent in a surrogacy arrangement); and
- Your baby is admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth; and
- The baby stays in neonatal care for at least seven consecutive days.
5. How much neonatal care leave can I take?
You can take up to 12 weeks of neonatal care leave per baby. The exact amount depends on how long your baby spends in neonatal care:
- 1 week of leave for each week (or part week) your baby is in neonatal care.
- The minimum you can take is one week.
You can take the leave in blocks or all at once, depending on your situation and employer’s policy.
6. When can I take the leave?
You can take neonatal care leave within 68 weeks (about 16 months) of your baby’s birth. This allows time if your baby needs long-term care or follow up treatment.
7. Will I get paid during neonatal care leave?
You may be entitled to Statutory Neonatal Care Leave (SNCP) if you:
- Have been employed continuously by your employer for at least 26 weeks before the week your baby is born; and
- Earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit (currently £123 per week in 2025); and
- Are still employed when you take the leave.
If you qualify, you will receive pay at the same rate as statutory paternity or maternity pay, whichever is applicable.
If you do not qualify for statutory pay, you can still take the leave, but it may be unpaid (unless your employer offers enhanced pay).
8. How do I apply for neonatal care leave?
You should tell your employer as soon as reasonably possible that your baby has been admitted to neonatal care.
When you know the likely length of care, give written notice of the expected dates of your leave and evidence of the neonatal care (such as a hospital letter or admission notice, if requested).
Employers may ask for confirmation, but they should handle the situation with sensitivity and confidentiality.
9. Can both parents take neonatal care leave
Yes, if both parents meet the eligibility criteria (for example, both are employed and the baby meets the qualifying conditions), each parent can take up to 12 weeks of neonatal care leave in their own right.
10. Is this leave taken at the same time as maternity or paternity leave?
No, neonatal care leave is in addition to other types of family leave. If your baby is in neonatal care while you are on maternity leave, you can add neonatal care on at the end of your maternity leave. The same applies to paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, you can take neonatal care leave after those periods.
11. What happens to my job while I am on neonatal care leave?
Your job is protected. You have the right to return to the same job (or a suitable alternative if that is not possible).
