Neo-natal Care Leave

What is Neo-Natal Care Leave?

Under the new legislation, eligible parents will be entitled to take up to 12 weeks of paid* leave to care for a newborn who requires neo-natal care. This leave can be taken at any point within the first year of the child's birth if the baby is admitted to a hospital for treatment. The aim is to alleviate the stress on parents and allow them to focus on their child's health and well-being during a difficult period.

Who is Eligible?

The entitlement extends to parents, including adoptive parents, who have a baby that requires hospital care. It’s important to note that the legislation applies regardless of whether the parent is a primary or secondary caregiver.

Parents on maternity leave are able to accrue the leave to potentially tag onto the end of their maternity leave.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

1. Policy Updates: Review and update your HR policies to reflect this new entitlement. Ensure that your employees are aware of their rights and the procedures for applying for neo-natal care leave.

2. Financial Planning: While the government will provide support to cover a portion of the payments during this leave, you may wish to build in the possibility of an additional 12 weeks paid leave for anyone on maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave into your payroll budget.

3. Training and Communication: Ensure that your management team is equipped with the knowledge about this new legislation.

Preparing for April 2025

With the implementation of Neo-Natal Care Leave just around the corner, now is the time to take proactive steps. Consider consulting with an HR professional to ensure that your policies are compliant.

We are here to support you with all your HR requirements. From policy creation to staff training, our experts can offer tailored solutions to help your business navigate this change smoothly.

For more information, feel free to reach out to us here.

*payment will be at the government statutory rate, £187.18 pw from April 2025.