The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 – a new leave and pay entitlement for parents with a baby in neonatal care – comes into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on 6 April 2025. Neonatal Care Leave is available to people with a parental relationship to the baby/babies, whether they are the mother or birthing parent, father or other non-birthing parent such as non-birthing mother, spouse, civil partner or adoptive parent. Neonatal Care Leave and Pay is available to parents/carers that meet additional length of service and earnings requirements. If you have worked for your employer for a minimum of 26 weeks and earn on average at least £125 per week, your leave will be paid at a statutory flat rate of £187.18 per week, or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Who qualifies
Neonatal Care Leave is available to people with a parental relationship to the baby/babies, whether they are the mother or birthing parent, father or other non-birthing parent such as non-birthing mother, spouse, civil partner or adoptive parent.
More information
The maximum amount of leave that can be taken is 12 weeks, and it must be taken within 68 weeks of the baby’s birth.
