SPM167200 | Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) - general information: What are Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tier 1

SNCP which is taken in a non-consecutive period, for example to allow the parent to take a Paternity Pay Period (PPP) can be taken both before and after the PPP. These are called Tier 1.

Tier 1 can be taken in more than one block but each block must be at least 1 week long.

Tier 2

Because a child is likely to start receiving neonatal care, if necessary, soon after birth it is likely that the mother is already in a maternity pay period (MPP). If the MPP is ended it cannot be restarted. In these cases SNCP can be taken after MPP ends. These are called Tier 2.

Tier 2 must be taken in a continuous block.

Any SNCP taken after the child has left neonatal care must be tier 2

An employee can be in both tier 1 and 2 at different times.

Legislation

Regulation 9 of the Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (General) Regulations 2025.