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Shared Parental Leave: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shared Parental Leave (SPL)?
Shared Parental Leave allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay in the first year after your child is born or adopted.
You can take the leave together, separately, or in alternating blocks — whatever works best for your family.
Who can get SPL?
To use SPL, both parents must meet eligibility rules. This includes:
- Being in work,
- Meeting certain employment and earnings criteria, and
- Agreeing to end or reduce maternity or adoption leave/pay so it can be “shared”.
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Different rules apply for birth parents, adoptive parents, and parents via surrogacy.
How much SPL can we share?
The maximum available is:
- 50 weeks of leave, and
- 37 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP).
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The amount you actually get depends on how much maternity or adoption leave and pay has already been taken.
How can SPL be taken?
SPL is very flexible. You can take it:
- In one continuous block,
- In separate blocks with periods of work in between, or
- Together at the same time as your partner.
Can SPL be refused?
- Continuous leave requests (one block) must be accepted.
- Requests for separate blocks can be declined, but you will be offered a continuous block instead.
Where can I find more information?
You can find full details on the official government website under Shared Parental Leave and Pay.
If you're planning SPL, speak to HR early so we can help you through the process. [gov.uk]