
Following the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023, the Department for Business and Trade has recently issued an update confirming that Statutory Neonatal Care Leave (SNCL) for working families with babies will become a “day one right” as of 6 April 2025.
Under this new legislation, parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer will now be entitled to take Neonatal Care Leave.
These measures are designed to enable parents to focus on their babies’ health without the added pressure of work and will enable eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave, with employees being entitled to take one week of SNCL in respect of each qualifying period that a child has spent in neonatal care, provided that all eligibility and notice requirements are met.
In addition to the entitlement to leave, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will also be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.
As stated above, the government has proposed regulations to implement this change which, subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6 April 2025.
This welcome change delivers on the Government’s commitment to support families and protect the pay of working people as part of its Plan for Change.
If you would like more information on the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023 or the new Employment Rights Bill, please contact a member of the Employment team – stevi.hoyle@glaisyers.com.