Neonatal care leave and pay rights roll out

1 min read

Wednesday 23 April 2025

This month new rights for parents with babies receiving neonatal care have rolled out in England, Scotland and Wales.

Since 6 April, working parents of babies admitted to neonatal care are entitled to up to 12 weeks’ leave in addition to their maternity and paternity leave. 

How does it work?

Employees are eligible if their baby enters neonatal care within 28 days of birth for a continuous seven days or longer.

Parents must use the leave within 68 weeks of birth and take leave in blocks of a week.

New right to neonatal pay

Some working parents are also entitled to neonatal pay.

Depending on length of service and earnings, some employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks’ neonatal pay of £125 a week.

Find out more

You can find out more about neonatal care leave and pay, including full eligibility criteria, on the website of the national charity Working Families. The charity Bliss supports parents of babies born premature or sick.

Visit our webpage on flexible working and time off for more advice on your rights in work.