Quick Answer: Shared Parental Leave lets eligible parents share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay after a birth or adoption. ShPP is £194.32 a week (or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower) for 2026/27. To qualify, you’ll need 26 weeks’ continuous service and average earnings of at least £129 a week, and you must give your employer at least 8 weeks’ written notice.
Having a child comes with lots of challenges; sleepless nights, crying (from both you and the baby!), and of course the dreaded never-ending list of things to get before baby arrives. But one challenge which you don’t want to have to contend with is taking the required time off work to care for your child when they join the family.
That’s why parental leave is an entitlement here in the UK. We’ve got the lowdown on how the UK shared parental leave (SPL) works as per statutory leave regulations, and how employers need to do to accommodate you.
What is UK shared parental leave?
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is a UK statutory entitlement that allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay following the birth or adoption of a child.
Eligible parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) between them, allowing flexibility in how both parents care for their child during the first year.
Here’s the key facts you need to know:
| Entitlement | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum weeks of leave | 50 weeks |
| Maximum weeks of pay | 37 weeks |
| Current ShPP rate (from 6 April 2026) | £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) |
| Minimum notice period | 8 weeks |
| Earnings threshold | £129/week average |
SPL Eligibility Requirements
GOV.UK outlines that you and your partner may be able to get SPL and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) if you’re:
- having a baby
- using a surrogate to have a baby
- adopting a child
- fostering a child who you’re planning to adopt
To be eligible for SPL or ShPP, you or your partner must:
- take less than the 52 weeks of maternity or adoption leave and use the rest as SPL
- take less than the 39 weeks of maternity or adoption pay (or Maternity Allowance) and use the rest as ShPP
For example, if you’re the mother and you’ve taken 20 weeks of Maternity Leave and Statutory Maternity Pay, you can share 32 weeks of SPL and 19 weeks of ShPP with your partner.
Employment and earnings criteria
The parent taking SPL or ShPP must:
- have been employed continuously by their employer for at least 26 weeks by either:
- the end of the 15th week before the due date (including surrogacy), or
- the end of the week they or their partner are matched with a child (if adopting)
- still be employed by the same employer when the SPL starts
- be classed as an ’employee’ (not a ‘worker’) to be eligible for SPL
- earn on average at least £129 a week to be eligible for ShPP
Their partner must also meet the employment and earnings test. This means they must have worked (employed or self-employed) for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the due date or matching date, and earned at least £30 a week in 13 of those weeks.
Note: If either of you is a ‘worker’, you might be able to share ShPP but not SPL.
SPL vs. other parental leave types
| Leave type | Maximum duration | Pay | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Parental Leave | Up to 50 weeks (shared) | Up to 37 weeks ShPP at £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower | 26 weeks' continuous employment; employee status |
| Maternity Leave | Up to 52 weeks | 39 weeks SMP (6 weeks at 90%, 33 weeks at £194.32/week or 90% if lower) | Leave is a day-one right; SMP needs 26 weeks' continuous employment by the 15th week before the due date |
| Paternity Leave | Up to 2 weeks | 2 weeks at £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower | Leave is a day-one right (from April 2026); pay needs 26 weeks' continuous employment |
| Adoption Leave | Up to 52 weeks | 39 weeks SAP (6 weeks at 90%, 33 weeks at £194.32/week or 90% if lower) | Leave is a day-one right; SAP needs 26 weeks' continuous employment |
| Unpaid Parental Leave | Up to 18 weeks per child | Unpaid | Day-one right (from April 2026) |
How do you request UK shared parental leave?
To request SPL or ShPP, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Give written notice. Give your employer at least 8 weeks’ written notice of your intended leave dates.
- Step 2: Wait for your employer’s response. Your employer may ask for more information within 14 days of your application.
- Step 3: Provide the required documents. Within 14 days of being asked, supply the requested information.
For birth parents, this may include:
- a copy of the birth certificate
- a declaration of the place and date of birth (if the birth isn’t registered yet)
- the name and address of your partner’s employer (or a declaration that they don’t have one)
For adoption or fostering, provide:
- the name and address of the adoption agency or local authority
- the date you were matched with the child
- the date the child will start living with you
- the name and address of your partner’s employer (or a declaration that they don’t have one)
- Step 4: Make changes if needed. You can adjust how much SPL or ShPP you take and when, but you must give at least 8 weeks’ notice before the start of any leave.
What other parental leave options are available?
If Shared Parental Leave isn’t the right fit for your family, the table above shows the other options and how they compare. Maternity leave is for birth mothers, paternity leave is for fathers and partners, and adoption leave covers adopters, those fostering to adopt, and intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement (who may also be able to take paternity leave).
It’s also worth knowing that, since April 2026, you can take paternity leave after a period of SPL. Before then, it had to come first.
If you have any questions about using Shared Parental Leave, it’s always a great idea to speak to your company’s HR team. They’ll be able to help you with how to request it, and explain exactly what you’re entitled to!
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Frequently asked questions
Q. Can both parents take SPL at the same time?
A. Yes, both parents can take SPL at the same time, so you can be off work together to care for your child.
Q. Can SPL be taken in separate blocks?
A. Yes, SPL can be taken in up to three separate blocks rather than all at once, so parents have the flexibility to return to work between periods of leave.
Q. What happens to my job while on SPL?
A. You have the right to return to the same job if your total statutory leave is 26 weeks or less. If it’s longer, you’re entitled to return to the same job or a suitable alternative. If you take 6 or more weeks of SPL in a row, you also get extra protection from redundancy for a period after you return.
Q. Do both parents need to be employed to qualify for SPL?
A. The parent taking SPL must be an employee. The other parent must meet the employment and earnings test, which can include being self-employed.
Q. How is ShPP paid?
A. ShPP is paid at £194.32 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower (rate effective from April 2026).
