When can parental leave be taken?

Parental leave can start once the child is born or placed for adoption or following a period of maternity/shared parental leave, whichever is later. It can be taken at any time up to the child’s fifth birthday (or until five years after placement in the case of adoption). Parents of disabled children can take 18 weeks of parental leave up to the child’s 18th birthday. The age limit on parental leave will increase from five years to 18 years in 2015, providing each parent with the right to up to 18 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child under 18.