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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 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'll 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's 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 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.
Adoption leave and pay: find out more
Where to get help
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas helpline on 08457 47 47 47 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues for residents of Northern Ireland. You can contact the LRA on 028 9032 1442 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
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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