You can take up to 2 weeks leave in a single block of one or two consecutive weeks. Paternity leave cannot be taken as odd days or two separate weeks.

Paternity leave can start from the date of your child's birth or placement but must be taken within 56 days of your child's birth.

To qualify for paid paternity leave you must have at least 26 weeks’ service by the expected week of birth or date of placement.

You and your partner can choose to curtail their maternity/adoption leave and convert the remaining leave entitlement into Shared Parental Leave. This leave can then be divided between yourself and your partner and taken in the first 52 weeks following the child’s birth or placement for adoption.  

Depending on how much leave your partner has taken, you could receive up to 37 weeks’ Statutory Shared Parental Leave Pay or up to 18 weeks’ full pay and 19 weeks’ Statutory Shared Parental Leave pay if you opt into the College Shared Parental Leave Scheme.

For full information regarding Shared Parental Leave and pay including eligibility requirements, please go to the ‌Shared Parental Leave policy.

You will continue to accrue annual leave and mandatory leave during Shared Parental Leave.

Please select Shared Parental Leave Process for further details.