Where to start?

Brightmine has a model paternity leave policy for expected week of birth from 5 April 2026 or actual birth from 6 April 2026.

Introduction

This policy sets out the rights of employees to paternity leave and pay for leave taken on or after 6 April 2026 where either:

the expected week of childbirth is on or after 5 April 2026;
the child is born on or after 6 April 2026 (even if the expected week of childbirth was before 5 April 2026); or
the child is expected to be placed for adoption with the adopter (or enter Great Britain for adoptions from overseas) on or after 6 April 2026.

Scope

This policy applies to employees employed by us. It does not apply to workers, contractors, consultants or any self-employed individuals working for the organisation.

Timing of paternity leave

You can start your paternity leave on any day from the child's birth, but it must end within 52 weeks of the birth (or the expected week of childbirth if the child is born early).

In the case of an adopted child, the 52-week period runs from the date on which the child was placed for adoption with the adopter (or the child's entry into Great Britain for adoptions from overseas).