We know that fairness and equality when it comes to parental leave is not yet linear.  Those who aren’t able to carry their own children, or who explore options like Adoption to give a child a home often don’t have the same rights as parents made by what would be considered more conventional means.  This means that parental leave and support is not provided equally to all those who deserve it, which is, in our opinion, everyone who has a child regardless of how that child came to be with their parents.

We have recently been made aware that if you are self-employed then this can be an even worse situation and that parents who are self employed are not eligible for statutory adoption pay, yet it is allowed for self employed new mums following the birth of their child.

We are sharing this UK Government petition started by a self employed mum of an adoptive child because we think something needs to change and that whilst fairness should not have to be fought for it is a right worth fighting for if it can make a real difference.

Please do take a look at the survey and consider signing your name, it takes seconds to do and could make a real difference!

Make self-employed people eligible for statutory adoption pay

Ensuring statutory adoption pay is available to a self-employed parent in the same way that maternity allowance is available for self-employed new mums would promote an equal and fair society inclusive of all routes to parenthood

A parent taking statutory leave regardless of it being adoption or maternity should be both recognised and supported fairly. Expecting self-employed parents to take unpaid adoption leave whilst supporting their child during a critical transitional period is unfair. This current policy is not inclusive of adoptive families and to many, reads as an act of discrimination.

I wish the Government to introduce an Adoption Allowance comparable with the Maternity Allowance for the Self-Employed.