Neonatal Care Pay and Leave
Overview
You and your partner may be able to get paid time off work if your newborn baby is premature or sick and needs neonatal care.
‘Neonatal care’ is the name given to care for newborn babies which starts in the first 28 days after birth. This may be for:
- hospital care
- medical care after leaving hospital - this must be under a consultant and include ongoing visits or checks arranged by the hospital where your baby was treated
- palliative or end of life care
You may be able to get:
- Neonatal Care Leave
- Statutory Neonatal Care Pay
You can get one week’s leave for every 7 full and continuous days your baby is in neonatal care, for up to 12 weeks.
You get Neonatal Care Pay and Leave in addition to other parental pay and leave entitlements. If you’re already on maternity leave or adoption leave, Neonatal Care Leave must be taken at the end of that entitlement.
There are rules about when you can take your leave and how to claim.
Employment rights when on leave
Your employment rights are protected while on Neonatal Care Leave. This includes your right to:
- pay rises
- build up (‘accrue’) holiday
- return to work