Parental bereavement leave provides employees with up to two weeks of protected time off following the death of a child under 18 or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, with statutory pay of £194.32 per week available to those who meet continuous employment requirements.
What is parental bereavement leave?
Since 2021 in England, Scotland and Wales and 2022 in Northern Ireland, families who experience a stillbirth or the death of a child before the age of 18 may be entitled to two weeks of paid leave from work. In Northern Ireland, this was extended in April 2026 to families who experience a miscarriage or pregnancy loss before 24-weeks gestation.
The Parental Bereavement Leave Act explained
The Parental Bereavement Leave Act was passed in 2018 creating a legal right for employees to leave and pay after stillbirth or the death of a child under 18.
Who is eligible for statutory time off?
You may qualify for parental bereavement leave if you meet the criteria in your relationship to the baby who has died and as an employee.
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales you can check eligibility here: Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave: Check if you're eligible - GOV.UK
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can check eligibility here: Parental bereavement leave and pay - Bereavements on or after 6 April 2026 | nidirect
How long is parental bereavement leave?
Parental bereavement leave entitles you to take up to two weeks of leave from work. You are entitled to take leave for each baby or child who has died.
Notice periods and how to apply
You will need to provide your employer with notice that you will be taking parental bereavement leave.
You will need to provide information to your employer including:
- when you will be starting parental bereavement leave.
- whether you will be taking one or two weeks' leave.
- The date when your baby was stillborn or died.
Although not a requirement, it is good practice to put this notice into writing so that you have a clear record.
If you are taking leave within eight weeks (56 days) of the date that your baby was stillborn or died (or experienced a miscarriage or pregnancy loss in Northern Ireland), you can give notice on the first day you intend to take leave and start this straight away. You will need to let your employer know before you are due to re-start work.
After eight weeks (56 days) you will need to provide one weeks’ notice of your intention to take leave.
Taking the leave in separate blocks
There is flexibility in how you can take parental bereavement leave.
You can take the leave as either:
- One block of two weeks
- Two blocks of a week each
- One block of one week
Is parental bereavement leave paid?
As well as parental bereavement leave, you may also be entitled to parental bereavement pay.
How much is statutory parental bereavement pay?
Across the UK, this is currently either £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
Statutory parental bereavement pay eligibility
Eligibility for Parental Bereavement Pay is slightly different to Parental Bereavement Leave.
In Northern Ireland, the right to Parental Bereavement Pay is a day one employment right. This means you can claim pay from the first day of your employment.
In England, Scotland and Wales you will need to have worked for your employer for a certain period of time (26 weeks) to qualify for Parental Bereavement Pay and earn over a certain amount (currently an average £129 a week before tax (gross) over an 8-week period).
Differences in rights for Northern Ireland from April 2026
In Northern Ireland, Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay have been extended to include miscarriage or pregnancy loss that occurs pre-24 weeks.
Understanding your employer's parental bereavement leave policy
Acas parental bereavement leave policy guidance
Your employer will have a Parental Bereavement Leave Policy; you can find out more about Parental Bereavement Leave on the Acas website: Leave - Parental bereavement leave and pay - Acas
What to do if you are self-employed or an agency worker
You must be classed as an employee to be entitled to Parental Bereavement Leave, and Pay, from your employer. This means if you are self-employed or an agency worker you are unlikely to be entitled to Leave or Pay.
Finding bereavement support with Sands
Sands is here to offer a safe space for anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby whether you’re a parent, sibling, grandparent, healthcare professional or friend. You don’t have to navigate this alone; we’re here to support you every step of the way. You can find out more about the different ways we offer support here: How we offer support | Sands
If you are an employer or manager and you would like to discuss how best to support a colleague or employee, you can:
- Call our helpline on 0808 164 3332
- Book in for a conversation with one of our Bereavement Support Officers
- Join one of our free webinars to learn more about creating a supportive workplace for people affected by pregnancy and baby loss.
FAQs
Do I need to provide medical proof of loss to my employer?
No, you do not need to provide medical proof of loss to your employer. However, you will need to sign a declaration stating that you are entitled to leave.
Can both parents take statutory bereavement leave at the same time?
Yes, both parents can give notice to take statutory bereavement leave at the same time.
How does bereavement leave interact with statutory maternity or paternity leave?
If you’re taking maternity leave or paternity leave when you experience miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby your parental bereavement leave must start after the other leave has ended but does not have to be taken immediately after.