Since 1st April 2007, the adoption leave and pay entitlements in relation to an adoption from within the United Kingdom, are as follows.. Different rules apply where the adoption is from outside the United Kingdom
To qualify for adoption leave where the adoption is within the United Kingdom, the employee:
Must have been matched with a child
- Have notified the agency that the child should be placed with them and agree the date
- Have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks ending in the week when they are notified of being matched with the child
- Notify their employer of when they want to take their adoption leave no more than seven days after they have been notified that they have been matched with a child
Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks leave which is made up of 26 weeks Ordinary Adoption Leave and 26 weeks Additional Adoption Leave.
For those employees who qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay they will be entitled to receive Statutory Adoption Payfor up to 39 weeks.
The earliest that Adoption Leave and Statutory Adoption Pay can start is 14 days before the expected date of placement of the child whilst the latest date is the actual date of placement.
Employers can make reasonable contact with their employees during the Adoption Leave to keep the employee notified of any changes within the workplace. In addition there are up to 10 “Keeoing In touch” (KIT) days during the leave period when the employee can do work for the employer without materially affecting leave and pay arrangements. The KIT days have to be agreed by both parties i.e.the employer cannot require the employee to work or the employee insist on working. The days are commonly used for training and other update purposes prior to the employee’s return.