Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Policy Template for UK Businesses
A neonatal care leave policy covers the new statutory right for parents of babies receiving neonatal care to take additional paid leave. The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 introduces up to 12 weeks of leave and pay for parents whose baby is admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth and receives at least 7 continuous days of care. This is a day-one right that sits alongside (not instead of) existing maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave entitlements.
Who Needs This Policy?
All UK employers will need to comply with the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 once it comes into force (expected April 2025). It applies to employees whose baby is admitted to neonatal care — approximately 90,000 babies per year in the UK. The leave is a day-one right (no qualifying service for the leave itself, though 26 weeks' service is required for pay). Employers should prepare policies in advance of implementation.
What's Covered
This neonatal care leave and pay policy template covers 11 key sections:
Purpose
This policy explains the right to neonatal care leave and Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP), introduced by the Neonatal...
Scope
This policy applies to all employees of [your details] from their first day of employment. Neonatal care leave is a day-...
Policy Statement
[your details] is committed to supporting employees whose babies require neonatal care. We will ensure that all eligible...
Entitlement to Neonatal Care Leave
Eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of neonatal care leave. The leave accrues at the rate of 1 week for ea...
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP)
Employees who meet the qualifying conditions are entitled to Statutory Neonatal Care Pay for each week of neonatal care ...
Notification Requirements
The employee must notify their line manager or HR before their first day of absence. Given the urgent and distressing n...
Rights During Neonatal Care Leave
During neonatal care leave, the employee's contract of employment continues and they are entitled to the benefit of all ...
Interaction with Other Leave
Neonatal care leave is in addition to other statutory leave entitlements: - Neonatal care leave does not reduce matern...
Roles and Responsibilities
is responsible for: - Ensuring all employees are aware of neonatal care leave entitlements - Processing leave and pay a...
Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside the following policies: - Maternity Leave Policy - Paternity Leave Policy - Adopti...
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes to neonatal care leave legislation, statutory pay ...
Legal Framework
This policy template is grounded in the following UK legislation and guidance:
- Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023
- Employment Rights Act 1996, ss.80GA-80GK (as inserted)
- Neonatal Care Leave Regulations 2025 (expected)
- Statutory Neonatal Care Pay Regulations 2025 (expected)
How Complaiance Helps
Our neonatal care leave and pay policy goes beyond a generic template:
- Ready for implementation as soon as the Act comes into force
- Clear eligibility criteria covering the 28-day admission window and 7-day qualifying care period
- Neonatal care pay calculation at the statutory rate alongside existing leave entitlements
- Sensitive handling guidance recognising the emotional circumstances of neonatal care
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Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How much neonatal care leave will parents be entitled to?
Under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, eligible parents will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of neonatal care leave. The leave accrues at one week for each week the baby receives neonatal care, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. This is in addition to existing maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave entitlements — it does not replace them.
What qualifies as neonatal care for the purposes of this leave?
The Act covers babies admitted to a hospital or other approved setting for neonatal medical care within 28 days of birth, where the care continues for 7 or more consecutive days. This includes neonatal intensive care, special care, and transitional care. The detailed qualifying criteria will be set out in regulations. It does not cover routine postnatal check-ups.
Is neonatal care leave a day-one right?
Yes. The right to neonatal care leave applies from the employee's first day of employment — no qualifying period of service is needed for the leave itself. However, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will require 26 weeks' continuous service and earnings above the Lower Earnings Limit, similar to other statutory family pay entitlements.