Starting your adoption leave

Adoption

You can start your adoption leave from the date of the child's placement for adoption (whether this is earlier or later than expected) or from a predetermined date which can be up to 14 days before the expected date of placement.

Surrogacy

You can start your adoption leave from the date of the birth or the day after the birth.

Before you start your adoption leave

Before your adoption leave begins, your line manager should discuss a handover and arrangements for keeping in touch during adoption leave.

You and your manager are encouraged to maintain reasonable contact during adoption leave to make the return to work easier. It is recommended that the frequency and method of contact during adoption leave be discussed in advance of adoption leave starting.