Your Parental Leave Rights as a Bereaved Partner

What's changing

From 6 April 2026, if your partner or the mother of your child dies within the first year of your child's life or adoption, you have a new statutory right to take Bereaved Partner's Paternity Leave – from your very first day in a job.

The key changes

• You can take up to 52 weeks of leave, depending on when the bereavement occurs.
• This is a "day one" right – no minimum service is required.
• The right applies where your child is less than a year old, or within the first year of adoption, and their mother or primary adopter has died.

Important: This leave is unpaid by law, though your employer may choose to offer pay.

What this means for you

If you face this devastating situation, you have legal protection to take time away from work to care for your child – regardless of how long you've been in your job.

What you can do now

You don't need to do anything to benefit from this right.

If you're affected by bereavement:

• Speak to your employer about your options
• Ask whether they offer paid bereavement leave
• Seek support from bereavement services

Territorial extent

This introduction of Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave applies across England, Scotland and Wales. It does not apply in Northern Ireland, where legislation relating to Parental Leave and Pay law is devolved.

Where to get help

Acas guidance on bereavementopens www.acas.org.uk in a new tab

GOV.UK bereavement supportopens www.gov.uk in a new tab

Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave: Overview - GOV.UKopens www.gov.uk in a new tab