The RCT Source

If you are eligible for shared parental leave you can request to take discontinuous periods of leave, i.e. you can take a period of shared parental leave, then return to work, then take a further period of shared parental leave.

Shared parental leave must be taken in blocks of at least one week. All leave must be taken before the child's first birthday, or before the first anniversary of the adoption placement.

An employee who is the father of a child, or the partner of the child's mother will be eligible for shared parental leave to care for the child if he or she:

• has at least 26 weeks' continuous employment by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and remains in continuous employment with that employer until the week before any period of shared parental leave that he or she takes;
• has the main responsibility for the care of the child at the date of the birth (apart from the responsibility of the mother); and
• has complied with the relevant notice and evidence requirements.

A mother will be eligible for shared parental leave to care for her child if she:

• has at      least 26 weeks' continuous employment by the end of the 15th week before      the expected week of childbirth and remains in continuous employment with      that employer until the week before any period of shared parental leave      that she takes;
• has the      main responsibility for the care of the child at the date of the birth      (apart from the responsibility of her partner or the child's father);
• is entitled      to statutory maternity leave in respect of the child;
• has      curtailed her statutory maternity leave; and
• has      complied with the relevant notice and evidence requirements.

Yes, up to 37 weeks' statutory shared parental pay is available for parents to share between them while on shared parental leave.