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Support for Adoptive Parents

What you may be eligible for

You may be eligible for the leave schemes below if you are adopting a child and have been employed or self-employed (including platform workers) for a continuous period of at least 3 months before: 

  • the Formal Intent to Adopt (FIA) date — applicable for adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave; or
  • you start taking childcare or unpaid infant care leave.

A timeline image showing how adoptive father and mother can take their parental leave

Leave Types

FOR MOTHERSAdoption Leave

Up to 12 weeks of leave.

Child is 0-1 years oldLearn more
FOR FATHERSPaternity Leave

Up to 4 weeks of leave.

Child is 0-1 years oldLearn more
FOR BOTH MOTHERS & FATHERSShared Parental Leave

Up to 10 weeks of leave to be shared between both parents.

Child is 0-1 years oldLearn more
FOR BOTH MOTHERS & FATHERSChildcare Leave

Up to 6 days of leave for children under 7, and 2 days of leave for children between 7 and 12.

Child is 0-12 years oldLearn more
FOR BOTH MOTHERS & FATHERSUnpaid Infant Care Leave

Up to 12 days of unpaid leave.

Child is 0-2 years oldLearn more

Other schemes

Not working for at least 3 months before child’s date of birth?

You may still be eligible for parental support.

Government-Paid Leave Schemes for Adoptive Parents | Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal