Shared Parental Leave and Pay

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Applying for leave and pay

To get Shared Parental Leave (SPL) or Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) you must:

  • follow the rules for starting SPL and ShPP
  • give your employer at least 8 weeks’ written notice of your leave dates

You can use Shared Parental Leave forms and templates created by Acas to:

  • give your employer notice that you plan to take SPL and ShPP
  • give your employer notice of when the mother or adopter is going to end their maternity or adoption leave, and when they’ll stop getting maternity or adoption pay
  • book your leave dates

If your employer has their own forms you can use those instead.

You can change your mind later about how much SPL or ShPP you plan to take and when you want to take it. You must give notice of any changes at least 8 weeks before the start of any leave.

You might not get SPL or ShPP if you do not include all the required information.

Giving more information

Your employer can ask you for more information within 14 days of you applying for SPL or ShPP. They can ask for:

  • a copy of the birth certificate
  • a declaration of the place and date of birth (if the birth has not been registered yet)
  • the name and address of your partner’s employer or a declaration that your partner has no employer

If you’re adopting or fostering a child you’re planning to adopt, your employer can ask for the:

  • name and address of the adoption agency or local authority
  • date you were matched with the child
  • date the child will start to live with you
  • name and address of your partner’s employer or a declaration that your partner has no employer

You must give this information within 14 days of being asked for it.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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