To support families with babies in neonatal care, the government will offer parents eligible up to 12 weeks of leave and remuneration, allowing parents to stay with their baby in the hospital.
With an effect of April 6, 2025, the law 2023 on neonatal care (leave and pay) comes into force, which gives eligible parents a right to receive a neonatal care leave (NCL) if their baby was admitted to neonatal care in the first 28 days of birth, and that care continues for at least seven continuous days.
To be eligible, the employee must be the baby's parent or the desired parent, a partner of the baby's mother who has the responsibility of the child's education.
The maximum quantity of NCL available for eligible employees is 12 weeks off, which must be taken within the first 68 weeks of the baby's birth. This is added to any other leave to which they would have been entitled otherwise, such as maternity or paternity leave.
In addition to NCL, employees can also receive statutory neonatal care care (SNCP) if they have at least 26 weeks of continuous service and reach the minimum profits threshold (at least £ 123 per week).
The SNCP will be paid at the same rate as other family leave, such as legal maternity (SMP).
During the NCL, employees have the right to remain in the same terms and conditions of employment, with the exception of remuneration.
They will also receive the same protections as other forms of family leave.
In preparation for new legislation concerning neonatal care, employers should ensure that they have policies and procedures to cover the new law.
