Police Officer Handbook – Agreed Guide to Police Officer Conditions in Scotland

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3.19 NEONATAL CARE LEAVE AND PAY

PNBS Circular 2025/08

Officers are entitled to enhanced neonatal care leave and pay, which:

(a) is available to parents of babies born on or after 6 April 2025 at the occupational (full) pay rate.

(b) provides for a minimum of one week and maximum of 12 weeks’ occupational (full) pay and leave dependent on how long the baby remains in neonatal care.

(c) relates to babies who receive neonatal care for at least seven consecutive days within the first 28 days of life. Neonatal care covers medical care both in hospital or elsewhere if it follows a period in hospital, and involves ongoing monitoring from healthcare professionals, as well as palliative and end-of-life care.

(d) is in addition to any other leave they may be entitled to including adoption, maternity, adoption/maternity support and shared parental leave. For mothers/primary adopters this will be taken after they have completed adoption/maternity leave.

(e) is a day one right for all officers who join the Police Service of Scotland.

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