Policy

Download and print the Shared Parental Leave Policy

Shared Parental Leave policy [pdf] (for babies born on or placed for adoption up to and including 31 July 2024)

Shared Parental Leave Policy (from 1 August 2024)

Forms

Shared parental leave provides parents with the opportunity to choose to share between them the care of their child during the first year following the child’s birth or adoption. Its purpose is to give parents greater flexibility in considering how to best care for, and bond with their child. Eligible parents have the option to share up to a maximum of 50 weeks’ SPL with their partner to care for their child during the first year following the child’s birth or adoption.  

To qualify for SPL, you must be:

  • A biological and/or birth parent; or
  • Primary adopter; or
  • The partner of the birth parent/primary adopter; and
  • You will share the main responsibility for the care of the child with your partner;

Additionally, you will be eligible for SPL if:

  • Your partner has worked (as an employee, agency worker, or on a self-employed basis) for at least 26 weeks of the 66 weeks leading up to the expected week of childbirth or by the end of the week in which you are notified that you have been matched with a child for adoption; and has earned an average of at least £30 a week in 13 of those 26 weeks and;
  • You/your partner (the birth parent/primary adopter) curtails their entitlement to maternity/adoption leave and pay.

Both parents work at Imperial: If you and your partner are employed by Imperial College and meet the eligibility requirements, you are both entitled to Imperial's SPL arrangements.

One parent works at Imperial: If you work for Imperial and meet the eligibility requirements, you are eligible for the leave and pay entitlements set out by Imperial. Your partner will be eligible for the entitlements set out by their own employer.

Shared Parental Leave Policy and Procedure