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- During your pregnancy
- Maternity leave
- Returning to work
- Glossary of University maternity terms
- Adoption leave
- Adoption Leave and Pay
- As soon as you have been matched
- Before and during your leave
- Returning to work
- Paternity/maternity support leave
- Requesting a change to your working pattern
- Parental leave
- Emergency leave
- Childcare vouchers
- Childcare facilities
- Forms
University Adoption Leave and Pay
If you have been employed continuously by the University for a period of 26 weeks or more leading into the matching week (the week in which the adoptive parent receives notification that they have been matched with a child for adoption) you may take a maximum of 52 weeks' leave, comprising 26 weeks Ordinary Adoption Leave and a further 26 weeks Additional Adoption Leave, although payment will only be for part of that (see below).
If you qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP), this will be payable for up to 39 weeks.
If you qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay, you will also be entitled to enhanced University Adoption Pay (UAP). If the child being adopted is in full time education, the first 4 weeks of Adoption Leave will be at full pay (including SAP) and if the child being adopted is not in full time education, the first 8 weeks of Adoption Leave will be at full pay (including SAP).
If you have less than 26 weeks continuous service leading to the matching week you will not be eligible for Adoption Pay. Please contact your adoption agency for information on eligibility for other allowances.
If you are earning less than the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance purposes, although you may still be eligible for Adoption Leave, you will not be eligible for Adoption Pay and should contact your adoption agency for information on financial support available to adoptive parents as you may be eligible for other allowances.
In a case where more than one child is placed for adoption at the same time, entitlement to Adoption Leave and Adoption Pay is exactly the same as if there were one child.
If you receive University Adoption Pay, you are required to work for three months (or an equivalent period of time if you reduce your hours). If you decide not to return to work or return for less than three months the university reserves the right to reclaim the UAP element of your Adoption Pay.
If you are eligible for UAP but are undecided about whether you wish to return to work you may request that the UAP element of your adoption pay be deferred. If you decide to return to work then payment can be made as a lump sum.
