Neonatal Care Leave and Pay: UK Rules and Worked Examples

Neonatal Care Leave and Pay is the newest family leave right in Great Britain, applying to babies born on or after 6 April 2025. GOV.UK sets out the framework; what it does not do is walk through how the weeks are counted, how the two notice tiers work in practice, or how the right stacks with other leave. Worked examples below.

Who qualifies for the leave

• The baby was admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth, and
• the care lasted 7 or more consecutive days, counted from the day after admission, and
• you are the parent, intended parent (surrogacy), adopter, or the partner of the mother or adopter, with responsibility for the child.

The leave itself is a day-one right: there is no minimum service requirement and no earnings test. You accrue one week of leave for every qualifying week the baby spends in neonatal care, capped at 12 weeks, and it must be used within 68 weeks of the birth.

Who qualifies for the pay

Statutory Neonatal Care Pay has stricter tests, matching the other family payments: 26 weeks of continuous service with your employer by the relevant week, and average earnings of at least £129 a week. The rate for 2026/27 is £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower.

Tier 1 and tier 2: the notice rules nobody explains

The regulations split the leave into two tiers. Tier 1 covers leave taken while the baby is still in neonatal care (and the week after discharge): notice can be given informally and even after the absence has started, because nobody plans for intensive care. Tier 2 covers leave taken later, once the baby is home: you must give written notice, 15 days ahead for a single week and 28 days ahead for two or more consecutive weeks. Tier 2 leave must also be taken in whole weeks.

Worked example: 5 weeks in neonatal care

A baby born 10 May is admitted to neonatal care on 12 May (within 28 days) and discharged on 16 June, after 5 full qualifying weeks. Each parent employed at that point accrues 5 weeks of neonatal care leave. The mother is on maternity leave throughout, so she adds her 5 weeks to the end of maternity leave, any time within 68 weeks of birth. Her partner, who has 3 years of service and qualifying earnings, takes 2 weeks of paternity leave immediately, then 5 weeks of neonatal care leave straight after, paid at £194.32 a week - 7 continuous weeks at home in total.

Edge cases worth knowing

• Twins or multiple births: the entitlement is per parent, not per child, and overlapping care periods do not double the weeks - but consecutive separate admissions can each add qualifying weeks up to the 12-week cap.
• The 7-day minimum is a cliff edge: 6 days of neonatal care generates no entitlement at all.
• Neonatal care includes outreach care after discharge where a healthcare professional continues care under a consultant and the arrangement includes ongoing monitoring and visits.
• Dismissal or redundancy protections apply: taking the leave carries the same protection from detriment as maternity leave, and notice pay rules follow the same pattern as other family leave.

Related guides

This article provides general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Employment rights depend on your contract, employment status and circumstances. For advice on a specific situation, contact ACAS on 0300 123 1100 or a solicitor regulated by the SRA. Figures relate to the 2026/27 tax year and are verified against GOV.UK at the review date; always confirm current rates on GOV.UK before acting.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Neonatal Care Pay in 2026?

£194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower, from 6 April 2026. The rate is reviewed each April.

Is Neonatal Care Leave paid from day one?

The leave is a day-one right, but the pay needs 26 weeks of service and average earnings of £129 a week. Without those, the leave is unpaid unless your employer enhances it.

Does neonatal care leave come off my maternity leave?

No. It is additional, on top of maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, and is typically added after that leave ends.

What counts as neonatal care?

Medical care in a hospital neonatal unit, medical care elsewhere after an inpatient stay where a consultant retains oversight with ongoing monitoring, and palliative or end of life care.

Can my employer refuse neonatal care leave?

No, it is a statutory right where the qualifying conditions are met. An employer can only require correct notice for tier 2 leave taken after the baby has come home.

Does it apply in Northern Ireland?

The right described here covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has been legislating separately, so check nidirect for the position there.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Neonatal Care Pay and Leave
• GOV.UK: Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027
• ACAS: Neonatal care leave and pay