The Department of Businesss Inoovation & Skills has published a technical guidance document on adoption pay to help employers understand the new rules in force from 5 April.

The major changes are that:

* adoption leave becomes a 'day 1 right' * statutory adoption pay will be paid at the earnings related rate in the first 6 weeks * new groups of parents will qualify for adoption leave and pay * adopters will be entitled to take time off work to attend adoption meetings

You can read the full guidance on the GOV.UK site here.