Together for Short Lives welcomes the UK Government’s announcement that, from April 2027, employees who lose a spouse or partner, parent, adult child or sibling will have a new statutory right to bereavement leave. We also welcome the introduction of leave for parents and partners who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
No parent should have to choose between grief and work
No parent should have to choose between grieving their child and keeping their job. Statutory parental bereavement leave and pay represented an important step forward for bereaved families, and today’s announcement recognises that grief does not stop at arbitrary age boundaries.
Today's announcement recognises that grief does not stop at arbitrary age boundaries.
Reflecting the reality for families of seriously ill young adults
For many years, Together for Short Lives has called for bereavement leave and pay to reflect the growing number of young people with serious illnesses who are living into adulthood.
Advances in medicine mean that many families continue providing extraordinary care well beyond a child’s 18th birthday. When these young adults die, the impact on parents and families is no less devastating.
We are pleased that the government has recognised the need to extend bereavement leave rights to families following the death of an adult child.
Looking ahead
We look forward to working with ministers as they continue their wider review of parental leave and pay, including consideration of the needs of families caring for seriously ill and terminally ill children.
Every family facing the death of a baby, child or young person deserves compassion, understanding and practical support at the most difficult time of their lives.
If you or someone you know is bereaved and would like to speak to someone, we can help. Our experienced Family Support Hub team offers practical, emotional and financial support to families of children with serious illness.