[Updated for 6th April 2026]

Eligibility

An individual must have 26 week’s continuous service by the date your child is matched for adoption. Note that only one person in a couple can take adoption leave. The other partner may be eligible for paternity leave.

You will not be eligible for statutory adoption leave and pay if:

– You are adopting a stepchild or a family member;
– The adoption is a private arrangement;
– You will become a special guardian or kinship carer.

Leave

26 weeks Ordinary Adoption Leave plus 26 weeks Additional Leave.

Within 7 days of you being matched, you must inform your employer when you wish to start your statutory adoption leave, overseas etc refer re conditions.

The leave can be begin 14 days before the child starts to live with you (applies to adoptions in the UK only)

If you are eligible for Statutory Adoption Leave, you may also be entitled to time off with pay to attend up to 5 adoption appointments – when you have been matched with a child.

Pay

From 6th April 2026, to qualify you will need to have earned gross pay of £127 or more per week for at least 8 weeks before the week in which you are matched for a child.

Entitlement is up to to 39 weeks of statutory adoption pay as follows:

– first 6 weeks = 90% of the individual’s gross average weekly earnings;
– the following 33 weeks – whichever is the lower of £194.32 from 6th April 2026 (£187.18 2025/6) or 90% of the individual’s average weekly earnings.

You will be required to provide proof of the adoption if your employer requests that.

Payment starts from when you actually commence your leave – but see the special conditions if the adoption is via a surrogacy arrangement or overseas. The Government’s guidance on those requirements can be seen at this link.