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Adoption leave and surrogacy
Welcoming a child through adoption or surrogacy is a profound and life-changing experience, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Adoption leave is available to eligible employees who are becoming parents through adoption or surrogacy, and we recognise the importance of time spent bonding and adjusting to this new chapter. We’re committed to providing a compassionate and flexible environment to help you focus on what matters most—your family.
We kindly ask that you notify your manager and HR as early as possible once your adoption plans are confirmed. This allows us to plan effectively and ensure you have the support and resources you need.
Adoption Policy
You will find the policy information here.
Adoption Leave
Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks of adoption leave.
When an employee takes time off to adopt a newly matched child or have a child through a surrogacy arrangement, they may be eligible for Statutory Adoption leave and pay. Employees can take up to 52 weeks’ Statutory Adoption Leave. The first 26 weeks is known as ‘Ordinary Adoption Leave’, the last 26 weeks as ‘Additional Adoption Leave’.
For employees who hold a dual contract and request adoption leave, it will be assumed that the periods of leave requested will apply to both roles simultaneously. Requests outside of this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed with HR and On-Call Support.
Leave can start:
- On the date the child starts living with the employee or up to 14 days before the expected placement date (UK adoptions).
- When an employee has been matched with a child to be placed with them by a UK adoption agency.
- When the child arrives in the UK or within 28 days of this date (overseas adoptions).
- The day the child is born or the day after (parents in surrogacy arrangements).
To make administration as easy as possible, employees should discuss the timing of their adoption leave with their line manager at the earliest opportunity.
Employees are entitled to adoption leave on the same basis as for maternity leave, with only one period of leave irrespective of whether they are to be placed with one child or more than one child.
Adoption leave is not available to both parents. If one parent is eligible for adoption leave and pay, the other may be entitled to paternity leave.
If the child’s placement ends during the adoptive period, the employee will be able to continue with adoption leave for up to 8 weeks after the end of the placement. An employee is entitled to attend work or training during their adoption leave for up to a maximum of ten working days, without affecting leave or payment entitlements. (See paragraph on Keeping In Touch (KIT) days.)
Within 28 days of receiving an employee’s notice of intention to take adoption leave, the Service will write to the employee confirming the latest date on which the employee must return to work after the adoption leave.