Neonatal Care – Parents entitled to additional time off as a day-one right

The Government has confirmed that parents with babies in neonatal care will be entitled to additional time off as a day-one right.

It has laid out regulations to implement the change, which subject to Parliamentary approval will take effect from 6 April 2025, following the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023.

Neonatal care leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have continuous stay in hospital of seven days or longer.

These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks’ leave and, if eligible pay, on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.

The right to neonatal care leave will be a statutory day one right. However, the right to statutory neonatal care pay will require 26 weeks of continuous service and earnings on average £125 a week (from 6 April 2025).

The Government expects this day-one right to benefit 60,000 new parents. One in seven newborns needs to be cared for in a specialist health unit.

Parents to receive day one right to neonatal care leave and pay – GOV.UK