The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 came into force on 6 April 2025. Under this legislation, parents (including adoptive and surrogate) of babies born on or after 6 April 2025 are entitled to up to 12-weeks neonatal care leave and pay (subject to eligibility criteria) if their baby either remains in, or is admitted to, hospital before reaching 28 days old and requires seven or more days of continuous neonatal care in hospital.
The entitlement to leave is a day one right but employees will require 26 weeks continuous service with their employer to be entitled to pay. The Government has produced a guide to help employers assess eligibility, how notice periods work, what records need to be kept, and help with statutory pay. You can read the guidance here.