Changes to statutory adoption leave and pay

Implementation date: 5 April 2015

The Children and Families Act 2014 (partly commenced by the Children and Families Act 2014 (Commencement No.3, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014 (SI 2014/1640)) brings statutory adoption pay into line with statutory maternity pay by setting it at 90% of normal earnings for the first six weeks of the adoption pay period. The Act also allows prospective adoptive parents to take time off "for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption", and makes provision in relation to agency workers and adoption appointments. The Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2014 remove the 26-week qualifying period for adoption leave so that it mirrors the eligibility requirements for maternity leave, and provide protections for employees who suffer a detriment or are dismissed in relation to time off for adoption appointments.