Bringing UCL's arrangements for neonatal care leave in line with new Government regulations

UCL introduced Neonatal Care Leave (NCL) in early 2023, allowing parents to take up to 12 weeks paid leave, where their baby has received at least 7 consecutive days of neo-natal medical care, immediately after birth

Previously, information on NCL was included within the relevant Parental Leave policies (Maternity, Adoption, Paternity/Partner and Shared Parental) but this has now been separated out into its own policy, which will be linked to from the Parental policies.

The policy has been updated in line with Government regulations which will come into force from 6^th April 2025.

Key changes include:

•  Updated required notice period(s)
  HR have decided to remove the notice periods for NCL as this seems impractical and unnecessary, with employees instead being asked to notify their line manager as soon as the baby needs neonatal care (previously, 8 weeks’ notice was required by UCL, the Government has introduced 28 days’ notice, for leave to be added to the end of a period of Parental leave).
•  Updated entitlement requirements to align with statutory provision
  i) An Employee will be entitled to NCL if their baby receives neonatal care for at least 7 consecutive days within 28 days of birth or placement (UCL’s policy was previously within 7 days of birth or placement)
  ii) All employees who are eligible for NCL can receive up to 12 weeks paid leave (previously UCL offered 6 weeks of NCL for those eligible under the Paternity/Partner’s leave policy and 12 weeks for those eligible under the Maternity and Adoption leave policy)
•  Updated period in which Neonatal Care leave may be taken
  NCL must be taken within 68 weeks of birth or placement of the child

Read the new Neonatal Care Leave Policy for full details.