Shared Parental Leave UK Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Shared Parental Leave: Why We Loved It

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is one of those things you might not fully understand until you actually need it, or maybe you hadn’t even thought about it until you found out you were having a baby.

Basically, it lets parents share time off after birth or adoption instead of the usual setup: mum taking most of the leave and dad just a short burst. You can split leave and pay however it works best for your family.

SPL has been around since April 2015, but it’s still surprisingly underused. Between 2015 and 2020, only about 1% of eligible families took it up (Department for Business & Trade, 2023).

If your circumstances allow it, SPL can be brilliant.

How Shared Parental Leave Works

Here’s the gist:

• If both parents qualify, you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay
• You can take it together, in turns, or in chunks
• There are eligibility rules around employment length and earnings
• Employers might have limits on how many blocks you can take

The idea is flexibility, not one-size-fits-all. You can design the leave around bonding time, finances, or just surviving those early months together!

Our Shared Parental Leave Story

We were lucky to make SPL work for us. Harry is employed, and I’m self-employed. His company offers generous parental pay, so financially it made sense for him to take some time off. I transferred 16 weeks of my Statutory Maternity Allowance, and Harry took those 16 weeks.

We chose November to February, Freya was about 4.5 months when Harry started, and 8.5 months when he went back to work. It was honestly the most special time.

We got to share so many firsts: weaning, giggles, and seeing Freya’s personality coming through. Harry got proper bonding time he otherwise wouldn’t have had. Now Freya is absolutely a Daddy’s girl!

Friends told us the “sweet spot” is usually 4–8 months, your baby is interactive, not just a sleepy newborn blob, and routines are slightly more predictable. By then, Freya was waking fewer times at night, which made everything easier.

Things to Think About Before Taking SPL

1. Check eligibility – Make sure both parents meet employment, earnings, and parental responsibility criteria.
2. Look at the finances – Employers’ parental pay policies vary. Some enhance pay, others stick to statutory rates. Work out what works for your family.
3. Plan your leave early – Decide whether you’ll take it together, separately, or in blocks. You usually need eight weeks’ notice before any leave.
4. Think about timing – Early newborn days? A bit later? Consider season, holidays, and your baby’s routine.
5. Consider work commitments – How might time off affect projects, busy periods, or career plans, especially if SPL isn’t common at your workplace?

Even just looking into SPL early makes a big difference. Check the official GOV.UK guidance and your employer’s policy.

Why SPL Can Be Amazing

• Bonding time – Both parents get to spend precious months together
• Flexibility – Split leave in a way that suits your family
• Shared parenting – More evenly divides responsibilities
• Memories and routines – Gives space to find a rhythm as a family

FAQ: Shared Parental Leave UK

Q: How much leave and pay can we share?
A: Up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay, depending on eligibility.

Q: Can SPL be taken in separate blocks?
A: Yes, together, in turns, or in multiple blocks (check with your employer).

Q: When’s the best time to take SPL?
A: Many parents like 4–8 months, baby is interactive, routines are more settled.

Q: How do we apply for SPL?
A: Check your employer’s policy, confirm eligibility, and give at least eight weeks’ notice.

How Listely Helps You Plan

‘Considering Shared Parental Leave’ is included on Listely’s Pregnancy To-Do List, helping you stay organised and confident week by week. With interactive checklists, tailored advice based on your birth and feeding choices, and progress tracking, Listely supports you at every stage, so you can focus on what truly matters: welcoming your little one with confidence.

Explore lists today: Pregnancy Week-by-Week To-Do List, Hospital Bag List, Shopping List, and First 8 Weeks List.