Neonatal care leave and neonatal care pay
We have added a new employee-friendly version of this policy alongside the existing standard version. The employee-friendly version uses a more employee-focused tone and style, allowing employers to choose the version that best reflects their culture and communication preferences.
We have added a new employee-friendly version of this policy alongside the existing standard version. The employee-friendly version uses a more employee-focused tone and style, allowing employers to choose the version that best reflects their culture and communication preferences.
Updated to reflect an increase in the rate of statutory maternity pay from 5 April 2026, and an increase to the rate of Small Employers' Relief.
Updated to reflect an increase in the rate of statutory neonatal care pay from 5 April 2026, and an increase to the rate of Small Employers' Relief.
Updated to confirm that enhanced redundancy protections will apply for employees taking, or returning, from bereaved partner's paternity leave. HR teams should ensure that their redundancy policies and processes reflect this additional protection.
Updated to set out the protected period for employees on bereaved partner’s paternity leave.
Updated to include new details on bereaved partner's paternity leave.
Updated to reflect an increase in the rate of statutory adoption pay from 5 April 2026, and an increase to the rate of Small Employers' Relief.
This quick reference explains the statutory entitlement of eligible employees to statutory neonatal care pay if their child, or a child with whom they have a qualifying relationship, requires medical or palliative care and was born on or after 6 April 2025.
In April 2026, HR professionals face the challenge of dealing with business-as-usual employment law changes, such as increases in statutory maternity, paternity and sick pay, while also dealing with a raft of major changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025. We look at what HR needs to do to meet its employment law obligations this spring.
HR and legal information and guidance relating to neonatal care leave and neonatal care pay.