What is Shared Parental Leave (SPL)?
Shared Parental Leave enables eligible parents to choose how to share the care of their child during the first year following birth or adoption. Its purpose is to give parents more flexibility in considering how to best care for their child. All eligible employees have a statutory right to take SPL. There may also be an entitlement to some Shared Parental Pay (ShPP).
Mothers, fathers and partners of mothers of children due on or after 5 April 2015, or adoptive parents who are notified of having being matched with a child on or after 5 April 2015 have the right to opt to take SPL.
Opting in to take SPL means that eligible mothers, fathers or partners may elect to share up to 50 weeks’ SPL within the first year of the child’s life provided that the mother/principal adopter has reduced or agreed to reduce her entitlement to Maternity/Adoption Leave and Pay. The mother/ principal adopter can share their leave with only one other person.
Employees who are eligible can therefore choose to end Maternity or Adoption Leave/Pay and commence Shared Parental Leave/Pay. This policy provides further information on eligibility for Shared Parental Leave and Pay entitlements.
Policy Details
| Download: | PDF version |
| Compiled by: | HR Business Partners and Advisors |
| Ratified by: | Trust Executive Committee |
| Date Ratified: | October 2020 |
| Date Issued: | May 2021 |
| Review Date: | October 2023 |
| Target Audience: | All staff |
| Contact name: | HR Business Partners and Advisors |
See also:
- Adoption Leave and Surrogacy Policy
- Annual Leave Policy
- Buying and Selling Annual Leave Scheme
- Career Break Policy
- Flexible Working Policy
- Shared Parental Leave Policy
- Special Leave Policy
- Maternity Leave and Fertility Treatment Policy
