Page 76 - PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

ADOPTION LEAVE – START DATE You

can start your adoption leave on:

a. The date the child is actually placed with you; or

b. Any date specified by you within the 14 day period ending with the date the
child is expected to be placed with you

c. If you are adopting a child from abroad, the leave may start on either the date the
child enters the UK or any date specified by you no later than 28 days after the
date the child enters the UK

Note that adoption leave can start on any day of the

week. STATUTORY ADOPTION PAY (SAP)

a. If you are the primary/sole adopter of a child placed on or after 5 April 2015 and
have completed at least 26 weeks continuous service extending into the “matching
week” (the week beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday in which you
are notified of having been matched with the child), and your average weekly
earnings are above the lower earnings level for national insurance contributions,
you will be eligible for SAP

b. Your SAP payment will be 6 weeks at the higher rate and up to 33 weeks at the
lower rate of SAP. The higher rate is currently 90% of average earnings. The lower
rate will be advised to you at the appropriate time

c. The remaining 13 weeks statutory adoption leave is unpaid

d. You must inform the company of any change in circumstances that change your
entitlement to SAP

e. Failure to follow the notification procedures above may result in you not qualifying
for SAP

f. If you do not qualify for SAP then you may qualify for other benefits and you should
talk to your adoption agency about this or contact your local Jobcentre Plus office
for more information