Neonatal care leave and pay

From 6 April 2025, if your child is admitted into neonatal care, you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks Neonatal Care Leave, if you meet the following criteria:

• Your child started receiving neonatal care within 28 days after the date on which they were born (the 28 days are counted from the day after the child is born);
• The neonatal care lasted for 7 days or longer without interruption (the 7 days are counted from the day after the neonatal care started); and
• You are taking leave to care for your child.

Neonatal care includes care outside a hospital setting in certain circumstances. You may also be entitled to statutory neonatal care pay during your period of neonatal care leave.

• Neonatal care leave guidance (MS Word, 95KB)
• Neonatal care leave and pay notification form (MS Word, 60KB)

Help and support

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free, confidential advice, support and counselling

External links

• NHS special care: ill or premature babies - NHS 
• Bliss 
• Tommys 
• Mind support