Neonatal Care Leave and Pay

Date: 24/04/2025

From 6 April 2025, the government has introduced two new benefits to support parents of babies who have a stay in a hospital neonatal unit (NNU).

Parents/carers will qualify for Neonatal Care Leave if:

• Their baby is born on or after 6 April, 2025
• They live in England, Wales or Scotland
• Their baby spends at least seven continuous days receiving neonatal care that starts within 28 days of their birth
• They are an employee

Neonatal Care Leave is a ‘day one’ right, which means it applies no matter how long parents/carers have been in their job.

Parents/carers will qualify for both Neonatal Care Leave and Pay if they meet the criteria for Neonatal Care Leave above and have been working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks and earn an average of at least £125 per week.

For further information visit: Neonatal Care Pay and Leave: Overview – GOV.UK or speak to a member of the NNU team for more guidance.