Adoption pay
Adoption pay is paid by your employer and is provided to help you take time off work so you can be with your child. Adoption pay can be paid to men and women, although if your partner is claiming adoption pay then you cannot.
As a statutory minimum, employers must pay employees on adoption leave a weekly rate equal to 90% of their average weekly earnings for the first six weeks. For the remaining 33 weeks employees are paid whatever is the lower of the standard rate (visit Acas website for the current rate), or 90% of your average pre-tax weekly earnings. You can receive adoption pay for 39 weeks under the statutory scheme.
You will receive statutory adoption pay in the same way that you receive your normal pay. Your employer will also deduct tax and national insurance from your adoption pay.
On this page
Are you eligible for adoption pay?
To qualify for adoption pay you must have:
- been in continuous employment for at least 26 weeks by the week you are matched with a child;
- to earn a minimum weekly average £129/week after 6 April 2026 (Adoption leave and pay - Acas);
- given the right notice;
- tell your employer; and
- provide proof of the adoption.
If you are claiming paternity pay, you cannot also claim adoption pay. Some agency employees may also be entitled to adoption pay. If an agency worker is not entitled to adoption pay, they may still be entitled to adoption leave without pay.
How to claim adoption pay
To claim adoption pay, you must give your employer a matching certificate from a recognised UK adoption agency. Otherwise, you can provide your employer with other evidence from the adoption agency stating the name and address of the approved adoption agency, the name and address of the person claiming adoption pay, the expected or actual placement date and the date on which you were informed by the adoption agency that the child was being placed with you.
For overseas adoptions, you must also show your employer an official notification from the relevant UK authority which confirms the parent can adopt and evidence of the date the child arrived in the UK.
You must provide the above information to your employer at least 28 days before the date chosen as the beginning of the adoption pay period.
You should also tell your employer when you plan to take your adoption leave – within seven days of being matched with a child by the adoption agency.
You can choose when you start receiving your adoption pay. You can start getting adoption pay from when the child is matched with you, or up to 14 days before the expected placement date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal disclaimer
The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.