Who counts as a ‘parent’ in order to be able to take parental leave?

Only parents, carers with ‘parental responsibility’ or who expect to get ‘parental responsibility’, and fathers who are registered on a child’s birth certificate are entitled to take parental leave for a child. Natural mothers and married fathers automatically have parental responsibility. Unmarried fathers will have ‘parental responsibility’ if they have been granted it by the mother or have a court order granting it.

Adoptive parents will get ‘parental responsibility’ when the placement is made . Same-sex partners or others may sometimes get ‘parental responsibility’ through legal proceedings.

If your employer is disputing your right to take leave on this ground, you may need to get advice from a family lawyer or specialist family law adviser. You can contact the Law Society for details of family law specialists. You should also contact your trade union.