Does additional paternity leave have to be taken immediately after I return to work?

[dottytablecloth]

I'm a teacher and due to go back to work at the end of June when I'll have had 34 weeks off.

We would like dh to use the rest of the entitlement, up until the end of the paid period, so 5 weeks, I think when I go properly back in September. I'll be in and out of school over the holidays but won't be working full time as such.

My question is can dh start his period of 5 weeks additional paternity leave in September even though I'll already have been back at work for July and August by that point?

[shimmymummy]

I had exactly the same question. I'm taking 4 weeks holiday before DH starts his leave. Yes it's fine. You just have to be back at work when he starts his leave and he must complete his leave when your child turns 1.