On 6 April 2025, the UK government introduced new statutory rights for neonatal care leave (NCL) and neonatal care pay (SNCP).
Both the government and Acas have published guidance to help employers and employees navigate these new provisions. Here, we outline the key elements of the rights and provide the new guidance.
6 April 2025 – Neonatal Care Leave and Pay
NCL allows parents to take time off work to care for a newborn who requires neonatal care. This care typically starts within the first 28 days after birth and can include hospital care, medical care after leaving the hospital, and palliative or end-of-life care.
Parent can get one week’s leave for every 7 full and continuous days your baby is in neonatal care, for up to 12 weeks.
An employee may be eligible for Statutory Neonatal Care Pay if they or their partner have a baby that needs neonatal care.
NCL is a “day-one” right. This means it can be taken by all eligible employees from the beginning of their employment. The right will apply in relation to children born on or after 6 April 2025.
Assisting Employees
We understand that this is a difficult time for parents. If you need any guidance on your entitlement to NCL and SNCP, please feel free to contact us on 01206 239 761. Below is a useful resource published by the government to assist you:
- Neonatal Care Pay and Leave: This guide is tailored for employees, offering detailed information on your rights and how to apply for leave and pay.
Assisting Employers
Understanding how to navigate this situation as an employer can be daunting. We are here to help employers support both their employees and the business. Below is some governmental guidance as a useful starting point:.
- Statutory Neonatal Care Pay and Leave: Employer Guide is guide that provide an overview of NCL and SNCP, including eligibility criteria, notice periods, record-keeping requirements, as well as financial assistance available to employers
- Form NE01 is used by employers to inform employees that they are not eligible for SNCP.
- Form NE02 is a record sheet for employers to document details of an employee’s SNCP.
- Business Changes Affecting SNCP sets out guidance on how business changes, such as insolvency or redundancy, impact SNCP payments.
- Employment Types Affecting SNCP sets out information on how different employment types, including agency workers and directors, affect SNCP.
- Employee Circumstances Affecting SNCP sets out guidance on how various employee circumstances influence SNCP entitlement and payments.
- Manual Calculation of SNCP provides instructions for manually calculating SNCP if payroll software or calculators are unavailable.
If you are an employer or employee affected by the above issue and want advice or support in connection with the same, or any employment law or HR issues more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01206 239761.
