Bereaved partner's paternity leave

A new right

If a child's primary carer dies on or after 6 April 2026, an employee will qualify to take up to 52 weeks of bereaved partner's paternity leave, regardless how long they have worked for their employer, if all the following apply:

• They have a qualifying relationship with the person who died.
• They have the main responsibility for the upbringing of the child.
• They're taking leave for the purpose of caring for a child.
• They've given their employer the correct notice.