Neonatal Care Pay Guide
A clear, plain-English guide to Statutory Neonatal Care Leave and Pay for parents whose baby needs neonatal care — who qualifies, how much it pays, and how it fits alongside your other leave.
What Is Neonatal Care Pay?
A quick explainer before you look into applying.
Definition & Purpose
Extra paid leave when your newborn needs hospital care
Statutory Neonatal Care Leave and Pay is a UK entitlement for employed parents whose baby is admitted to neonatal care for a continuous period of at least seven days, starting within the first 28 days after birth.
It gives eligible parents up to 12 additional weeks of leave — one week for each full week their baby spends in neonatal care — on top of any maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parental leave they already qualify for.
The right to take Neonatal Care Leave applies from your very first day in a job. Whether that leave is paid depends on meeting a separate qualifying period and earnings condition, in the same way as other statutory family payments.
Quick Facts
Key things to know before you apply
How to Claim Neonatal Care Pay
Here’s what typically needs to happen between your baby’s admission and receiving your pay.
Confirm Neonatal Admission
Your baby must be admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth, for a continuous period of seven days or more, for the leave to apply.
Tell Your Employer
Give your employer notice of your intention to take Neonatal Care Leave, including the expected start date and how many weeks you plan to take.
Check Your Qualifying Period
To receive statutory pay rather than just leave, you’ll usually need at least 26 weeks of continuous service and earnings above the lower earnings limit.
Provide Evidence & Receive Pay
Your employer may ask for written confirmation of the admission and discharge dates before processing your Statutory Neonatal Care Pay through payroll.
Eligibility at a Glance
The core conditions that determine whether you can take the leave, and separately, whether you’re paid for it.
| Condition | Requirement | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Baby’s admission | Neonatal care within 28 days of birth, 7+ continuous days | Leave & Pay |
| Employment status | Must be an employee (not self-employed) | Leave & Pay |
| Length of service | None required for the right to leave | Leave only |
| Continuous service | At least 26 weeks by the relevant week | Pay only |
| Minimum earnings | At or above the lower earnings limit | Pay only |
| Notice to employer | Required, with supporting evidence | Leave & Pay |
Neonatal Care Leave vs. Other Family Leave
Neonatal Care Leave sits alongside your existing entitlements rather than replacing them.
| Leave Type | Maximum Duration | Can Be Taken With Neonatal Leave? |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory Maternity Leave | 52 weeks | Yes, added on top |
| Statutory Paternity Leave | 2 weeks | Yes, added on top |
| Shared Parental Leave | Up to 50 weeks (shared) | Yes, added on top |
| Neonatal Care Leave | Up to 12 weeks | — |
Neonatal Care Pay FAQ
Answers to the questions parents ask most often about Statutory Neonatal Care Leave and Pay.
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay is a UK government entitlement that provides paid leave to eligible employed parents whose new baby needs neonatal care in hospital for a continuous period of at least seven days, starting within the baby’s first 28 days of life.
To qualify, you must be an employee with at least 26 weeks of continuous service by the relevant week, earn at least the lower earnings limit, and your baby must have been admitted to neonatal care within 28 days of birth for at least seven consecutive days.
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay is paid at the same flat statutory rate used for other family-related statutory payments, or 90% of average weekly earnings if that figure is lower, and is reviewed each tax year.
Eligible parents can take up to 12 weeks of Neonatal Care Leave, in addition to any maternity, paternity, or shared parental leave they are entitled to, with one week of leave available for each full week the baby spends in neonatal care.
Yes. Neonatal Care Leave and Pay is a day-one right to leave and, subject to the qualifying period for pay, is available to each eligible parent individually, so both parents can take the leave if they each meet the qualifying conditions.