UK Introduces Neonatal Care Leave for Parents Starting April 6

The new entitlement grants 12 weeks of additional leave and pay to support parents of babies in neonatal care, benefiting 60,000 families annually.

The neonatal care leave and pay entitlement applies to parents of babies admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth for a continuous stay of seven days or more.
The policy, effective April 6, 2025, allows parents to take leave from the first day of employment, relieving financial and emotional strain on working families.
Campaigners and charities, including Bliss and The Smallest Things, have welcomed the measure after years of advocacy, though they note the delay in implementation left many families unsupported.
The UK government will fully reimburse small employers for costs associated with the leave, encouraging adoption of family-friendly workplace policies.
This entitlement reflects a broader push to prioritize work-life balance and ensure parents can remain present during critical hospital stays for their newborns.