Paternity Leave Policy - April 2026
In this section
- Introduction
- Scope
- Entitlement to paternity leave (birth)
- Entitlement to paternity leave (adoption)
- Amount of paternity leave you can take
- Timing of paternity leave
- Notice to take paternity leave (birth)
- Notice to take paternity leave (adoption within the UK)
- Notice to take paternity leave (adoption from overseas)
- Late notice
- Changing your paternity leave plans
- Paternity pay
- Further information
- Maternity/Adoption Support Leave (M/ASL)
- Your rights during paternity leave
- Neonatal care leave
- Bereaved partner's paternity leave
- Returning to work after paternity leave
- Time off for antenatal appointments
- Time off to attend adoption appointments
- Data protection
- Additional leave
- Re-instating lost pension because of unpaid paternity leave
- Abuse of the Paternity Leave policy
- Ensuring equality of opportunity
Notice to take paternity leave (adoption within the UK)
Notice of entitlement (adoption within the UK)
Before you can take paternity leave, you must give your line manager and the Absence Team written notice within seven days after the date on which the child's adopter is notified that they have been matched for adoption. Your notice must confirm:
• the date on which the adopter was notified that they have been matched for adoption;
• the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption with the adopter (or, if they have already been placed for adoption, the date of the placement); and
• that you meet the eligibility requirements to take paternity leave.
All absences should be covered by Matching Certificate supplied by the Adoption Agency.
You should inform your manager and the Absence Team by completing the application form Paternity Leave Application Form 2026 or through My View via My Forms within seven days of notification of the child’s placement with the primary adopted or as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Period of leave notice (adoption within the UK)
Each time that you wish to take a period of paternity leave, you must give your line manager and the Absence Team further written notice within seven days after the date on which the child's adopter is notified of having been matched for adoption, confirming:
• when you want to start your leave (you may take this in one single block or two separate blocks);
• whether you wish to take one- or two-weeks’ leave; and
• that the purpose of the leave is to care for the child or support the child's adopter.
You can choose to start a period of paternity leave:
• on the date on which the child is placed for adoption;
• a set number of days after the child is placed for adoption; or
• on a predetermined date, which has to be no earlier than the first day of the child's placement for adoption.
You should inform your manager and the Absence Team by completing the application form Paternity Leave Application Form 2026 or through My View via My Forms within seven days of notification of the child’s placement with the primary adopted or as soon as is reasonably practicable.