Adoption leave

When an adoption agency has matched you with a child, you can take paid time off work for pre-adoption appointments if they cannot be booked outside of your usual working hours.

The time off will include the appointment and any travelling time.

Pre-adoption appointments must be made at the request of the adoption agency and can include:

• contact with the child or children
• meetings with the child’s social worker
• meetings with the current carer

You can take paid time off for up to 5 separate occasions.

If you’re a couple adopting jointly, only one of you can take paid time off and the other partner must take unpaid time off.

Booking pre-adoption leave

Tell your manager about each of your appointments. You might need to show them proof of the appointment from the adoption agency, including the date and time.

Once agreed, this leave should be booked in My Oracle under 'family leave'. Then choose the ‘adoption related meeting' option.

You should record your time off on the adoption meetings time off form (DOC, 58KB).

Pre-adoption support leave

If you're part of a couple adopting jointly but are not the main adopter, you are entitled to unpaid time off to attend pre-adoption meetings.

You can take unpaid leave to attend pre-adoption appointments on up to 2 occasions.

Booking pre-adoption support leave

Tell your manager about each of your appointments. You might need to show them proof of the appointment from the adoption agency, including the date and time.

Once agreed, this leave should be booked as ‘unpaid leave' in My Oracle.