14 April 2026 · BBC
NI Offers Paid Miscarriage Leave
Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to provide two weeks of paid leave for parents after a miscarriage, offering support during a difficult time.
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Narration includes the headline and summary.
Adapted from BBC and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.
Key vocabulary
miscarriage
the loss of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy
“Many women experience a miscarriage, which can be very painful.”
bereavement
the period of mourning after a loss
“Bereavement leave allows employees time to grieve.”
statutory
required by law
“The statutory leave is paid at a set rate.”
validation
recognition or affirmation of a feeling or belief
“The new law gives validation to parents' feelings of loss.”
employer
a person or organization that hires people to work
“An employer must support their employees during difficult times.”
Quick quiz
01What new leave has Northern Ireland introduced?
02How long is the paid leave for miscarriage in Northern Ireland?
03What is the payment rate for the leave?
04What did Erin Sharkey say about her experience with miscarriage?
Discussion
How do you think paid leave for miscarriage can impact society's view on parental loss?