This runs from the end of ordinary maternity leave up to the 29th week after the start of the week in which the baby is born. Mothers whose expected week of childbirth is on or after 30 April 2000 will be entitled to this after one year's employment rather than the current two. For parents whose babies are born after 15th December 1999, the government has just introduced new legislation which offers both mothers and fathers up to 13 weeks' unpaid leave, to be taken before the child reaches five years of age. In the case of mothers, this can be taken in addition to maternity leave and, if eligible, additional maternity leave, but not necessarily to run consecutively. You may need to negotiate the timing of your parental leave with your employer.
Parental leave is available to both natural and adoptive parents.
You can visit the DTI website for more information. Time off for dependants comes into effect for parents whose babies were born after 15th December 1999, and it entitles employees to short periods of leave to care for dependants. This could be used if childcare arrangements break down, or if a child has been involved in an accident. The leave is not necessarily paid - that is at the discretion of the employer. Time off for Dependants.