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How to review your family and parental leave policy

Use our key questions to review your school or trust's family and parental leave policy. See what good looks like in our model policy and look at examples from schools and trusts.

Last reviewed on 11 April 2024See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 42369
Contents
  1. Key facts
  2. Key points to look out for 
  3. Key questions to challenge the policy
  4. Download our model policy
  5. Examples from schools and trusts

Key points to look out for 

Clear procedures for managing each type of leave

Note that your school or trust may have a different name for this policy depending on its scope – for example, you may have a standalone maternity policy, or a policy that covers a wider range of family-related leave. Regardless of your policy's scope, it should set out, for each type of leave:

  • Who's eligible
  • The length of time staff members can be off for
  • When the leave can start
  • How to claim it
  • Time frames for notifying the school/trust of any changes of plans (if relevant)
  • Whether it's unpaid or paid 

What staff should expect and who to speak to when arranging leave

Your policy should clearly outline:

Procedures and rights when returning