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Adoption leave and pay: introduction

If you adopt a child, you may have the right to 52 weeks of adoption leave. You may also have the right to be paid for up to 39 weeks of the leave. Find out more about the conditions and your rights.

The basics of adoption leave and pay

Statutory Adoption Leave is for 52 weeks. Statutory Adoption Pay is for up to 39 weeks at up to £117.18 (£123.06 from 5 April 2009) per week.

Paid adoption leave is available to employed people who are adopting a child on their own, or for one member of a couple who are adopting together. The couple can decide who will take the paid leave. The other member of the couple, or the partner of the adopter, may be able to take paid paternity leave.

Overseas adoption

Paid leave is available whether a child is adopted from within the UK or from overseas, but some details may differ for parents adopting from outside the UK.

To qualify for pay and leave you must be an ‘employee’. If you are a ‘worker’ you will not qualify for leave but may qualify for pay. If you are unsure if you are a ‘worker’ or an ‘employee’, follow the link below.

Personalised help

you can get personalised help on what you qualify for

You get personalised help on what you qualify for by using the Tailored Interactive Guidance on Employment Rights (TIGER) tool.

The tool will produce a personalised statement of the adoption leave and pay that you may qualify for, along with an interactive calendar to help you plan your leave.

Company schemes

Your employer may have their own scheme which could be more generous than the statutory scheme. Check your contact of employment or staff handbook for details or ask your employer. Your employer can't offer you less than the statutory scheme.

Where to get help

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues.

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues for residents of Northern Ireland.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.

If you are a member of a trade union, you can get help, advice and support from them.

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