Shared Parental Leave Calculator

Shared Parental Leave allows eligible parents to split up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) between them. The mother or primary adopter must first end their maternity or adoption leave by giving a binding curtailment notice. The first two weeks after birth are compulsory maternity leave and cannot be shared. Any remaining untaken weeks become available for either parent to book.

ShPP is paid at £184.03 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 37 weeks total (minus any weeks of statutory maternity pay already taken). Unlike maternity pay, ShPP does not include an initial six-week period at 90% of earnings. Both parents can take leave simultaneously, giving families flexibility to be off work together or take turns.

Each parent must give their employer at least eight weeks' notice before each block of leave. Leave can be taken in up to three separate discontinuous blocks, though employers may refuse discontinuous requests and offer alternative dates. Both parents must have at least 26 weeks' continuous employment by the 15th week before the due date and earn above the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 per week.

Shared Parental Leave basics. Available to parents of children born or placed for adoption from April 2015. Parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay (£194.32/week in 2026/27 — same as SMP/SPP). Eligibility for SPL: 26 weeks continuous service by the 15th week before due date for BOTH parents (or 14 weeks for adoption). Earnings test: both parents earn at least £125/week.

How SPL pay is calculated. The mother (or primary adopter) gives up some maternity leave/pay, which is converted to Shared Parental Leave/Pay. Statutory SPP rate: £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever lower. Maximum 37 weeks SPP total (vs SMP's 39 weeks). Cannot exceed total leave/pay available to original parent — just shifts between parents.

Common SPL patterns. (1) Mother takes 6-9 months, father takes the remaining 3-6 months when child older; (2) Both parents alternate 2-3 weeks at home; (3) Father takes 'second half' so mother can return to work earlier (useful when mother is higher earner). Notification: 8 weeks before each block of leave. Maximum 3 separate blocks of SPL per parent.

SPL vs enhanced maternity pay — financial decision. Many UK employers offer enhanced maternity pay (full pay for first weeks) but ONLY statutory shared parental pay (£194.32/week). Taking SPL often means losing enhanced pay. From April 2024 some employers must match — but most still don't. Calculate carefully: SPL only worth taking if your enhanced pay difference is less than the value of having both parents bond with child.