The government has launched a consultation on how it can better support the return to work of those who have taken time out of paid employment to care for children or other family members.
It is seeking views about returners’ experiences, employers’ experiences of recruiting returners, and evidence on the barriers they face and support available to them. The call for evidence is part of a package of measures that the government has unveiled to help people get back to work.
Four new returner programmes will also be offered by public sector employers to provide training and support to people who have taken time out of the workplace. The programmes will be available to social workers, allied health professionals, civil servants and teachers.
Minister of State for Apprenticeships, Skills and Women Anne Milton said: ‘These returner programmes will make it routine for women to go back to the workplace and get on with their careers. It ultimately should also help us to tackle the gender pay gap. I think it’s important that the public sector leads by example and introduces programmes to support people returning to the workplace.’
