MAMA Academy Welcomes Historic Introduction of Neonatal Care Leave and Pay for Parents

MAMA Academy, the Safer Pregnancy Charity, warmly welcomes the government’s introduction of neonatal care leave and pay, a milestone achievement that will significantly support thousands of new parents across the UK.

As of Sunday, 6 April, parents whose babies are admitted into neonatal care within the first 28 days of life and remain for a continuous stay of seven days or more are entitled to up to 12 weeks of additional leave and pay, provided they meet eligibility criteria. This significant change, which has been long campaigned for by dedicated charities, including The Smallest Things, Bliss, and Working Families, marks an important step forward in providing vital support to families during an emotionally challenging time.

For parents whose newborns require extended hospital care, balancing the pressures of work alongside caring for a sick infant can create immense emotional and financial strain. MAMA Academy recognises that these challenges have often resulted in parents needing to exhaust existing maternity, paternity, or annual leave prematurely, leaving families stretched thin when they most need support.

Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders has commended campaigners for their tireless advocacy, emphasising the necessity of this new entitlement. Similarly, Women’s Health Minister Baroness Merron noted the importance of allowing parents to focus on family without the added stress of employment concerns. The charity sector’s consistent efforts have been instrumental in achieving this outcome, highlighting how effective collaboration between policymakers and frontline organisations can create meaningful legislative change.

At MAMA Academy, we deeply understand the physical and mental health benefits of enabling parents to remain fully present with their newborns during crucial early days. Neonatal care leave will provide essential time for family bonding and emotional recovery, significantly improving long-term outcomes for both babies and their families.

We echo the sentiments expressed by Catriona Ogilvy from The Smallest Things, who emphasises that the journey doesn’t end when a baby leaves neonatal care—it marks the beginning of the next phase of support and recovery. Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss, reinforced the crucial role both parents play in the neonatal journey, while Jane van syl from Working Families highlighted the broader support this new policy provides to families, helping relieve financial and emotional burdens.

The implementation of this policy also underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing employment rights and supporting working families. MAMA Academy strongly encourages employers across the UK to adopt not just the statutory minimum but to actively enhance neonatal leave provisions, aligning with compassionate policies already pioneered by organisations such as Virgin Media O2, Sony Music, and Deloitte UK.

We look forward to seeing further employer engagement and support as this policy takes effect, ensuring parents can fully utilise this vital entitlement. MAMA Academy will continue to advocate for improvements in neonatal and maternity care services, standing with parents every step of their journey toward safer pregnancies and healthier families.