Adopted DS as a baby a year or so ago and took adoption leave which is exactly the same in terms of pay and time off as maternity leave.
Returned to work after nine motnhs, but realised it wasnt the right job for me anymore due to the amount of evening work I was having to do (teacher). After discussion with DP (who works unusual shifts) handed in my notice last July with the intention of getting a less stressful job short term until DS is older (ideally supply teaching or TA work). Work was very understanding. I am due to leave at the end of 2017 and a replacement is being sought.
Fast forward to last month and out of the blue we heard that DS's birth parents are expecting another DC (now born) and would we considering adopting this baby should the baby not be able/safe to live with birth parents (all previous DCs have been adopted at a v young age). We were shocked initially, then very excited and agreed that, should circumstances dictate that the baby cant live with birth family, then we would be thrilled to adopt our DS's sibling.
Obviously I wouldn't now qualify for enhanced adoption pay through work (as I had done previously) as I will be 'between jobs' but I assumed I would qualify for the statutory allowance (I have worked full time, paying NI/tax, for over 20 years) as I would had I have found myself pregnant and between jobs. But I was wrong. I have since learnt that I would only qualify for this allowance if I had actually given birth to my child - adoption doesnt count!
Even if I miraculously find another job for January, I would have had to work for six months before I qualified for any adoption pay, which, looking at current time scales for adoption, is unlikely.
AIBU to think that adoptive parents should qualify for the statutory allowance in the same way birth parents do? The more I think about it, the more I feel really aggrieved at this disparity - to the extent that I want to write to my MP. However, I do have a tendency to get on my high horse about all things adoption related (a result of all the crap DP and I have been through to survive the adoption process itself) so wanted to run things past the MN jury before I make an ass of myself IRL.
www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/maternity-allowance