Shared Parental Pay
Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is the payment eligible parents receive when they share leave after a baby is born or a child is adopted.
benefits
Category
advanced
Difficulty
7 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is the payment eligible parents receive when they share leave after a baby is born or a child is adopted.
Detailed explanation
Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between them. It gives families flexibility in how they care for their child in the first year.
The mother or primary adopter must curtail their maternity or adoption leave/pay to create ShPP entitlement. Both parents then submit notices to their employers about how they want to share the remaining leave and pay.
ShPP is paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (after the first 6 weeks), and some employers offer enhanced shared parental pay.
Practical guidance
How it works
The mother curtails her maternity leave and pay by giving notice. Both parents submit notices to their employers stating how they intend to share the leave and pay. Employers have 14 days to respond. Leave can be taken in up to 3 blocks.
Best practices
Offer enhanced shared parental pay
Use software to track complex entitlements
Be flexible with discontinuous leave requests
Communicate policies clearly to expecting parents
Legal context
Legal basis
Children and Families Act 2014, Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014
Jurisdiction: UK
Key provisions
Up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay can be shared
ShPP rate is £184.03/week or 90% of earnings if lower (2024-25)
Both parents must meet eligibility criteria
Mother must curtail maternity leave/pay to create entitlement
Official source
Frequently asked questions
How does Shared Parental Pay work?
ShPP allows parents to share up to 37 weeks of pay between them. The mother must curtail her maternity pay to create ShPP entitlement. It's paid at £184.03/week or 90% of earnings if lower.
Can both parents take Shared Parental Leave at the same time?
Yes, both parents can take ShPL simultaneously. This allows them to be off work together caring for their child.
Do both parents need to be employees to get ShPP?
The parent claiming ShPP must be an employee meeting earnings and service requirements. The other parent must meet employment and earnings tests over a 66-week period.
Related glossary terms
Shared Parental Leave
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them in the first year after their child's birth or adoption.
Maternity Pay
Maternity pay is the income a mother receives during her maternity leave, either as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or enhanced company maternity pay.
Paternity Pay
Paternity pay is the income a father or partner receives when taking paternity leave after the birth or adoption of a child.
Parental Leave
Parental leave is unpaid time off work for eligible parents to care for their child, providing up to 18 weeks per child until the child turns 18.