We know that returning to work after a career break, no matter how long, can be a daunting.
We are working to connect our members with opportunities to access events and up to date information to support anyone thinking about taking a career break, or returning to the profession. There are details about some of these programmes below. Via our work we have had, and continue to have, some great discussions with people to better understand the issues affecting them.
At our Annual Conference on the 25 October 2019 we hosted a panel which had a focus on women returning to the profession with the main theme of “It’s tough out there”: The next 100 years. The conversation centered around, individuals who have taken career breaks and the barriers they face when returning and reconnecting to the profession, then moving on to discuss the need to have a diverse workforce with a broad skill set, intellectual curiosity and life experience.
Find out more about organisations that can support you below.
There are a lot of great initiatives and support services in the marketplace, who aim to help people returning from a career break. If you know of another organisation that we should be promoting that would offer our members support, please get in touch at [email protected].
Women Returners
Women Returners offer free access to a Returners Professional Network which will give you access to a monthly newsletter, returner opportunities with employers, including returnships and permanent roles. Events where you can receive return to work support and networking opportunities, Advice Hub for expert advice, direction and insights, access to individual Coaching Support from experienced returner coaches.
Back in Business
If you are based in the central belt of Scotland and have taken a break of one year or more from your legal role we want to help you transition smoothly back into the world of work.
Back to Business runs a free programme to bridge the gap by offering a series of free workshops, in either Edinburgh or Glasgow, to help you regain your professional confidence, construct an appropriate CV, feel more confident about interviews and networking and understand how to manage that all important work / life balance.
You will then introduce you to companies offering returnship opportunities which are paid, at the market rate for the role, professional, flexible placements, typically lasting four to six months. These will give you up-to-date experience on your CV and possibly lead to longer term employment.
Vario by Pinsent Masons
Vario offers opportunities to become a legal freelancer, they work with individuals to understand their experience, professional and personal motivations. A successful Vario applicant will then go through an on-boarding process to make sure they are assignment ready.
If you are interested in freelancing, you can find out more about Vario and other opportunities on our freelancing pages.
Read the Vario blog about flexible working and managing family commitments.
UK Government guidance
In October 2019 the Government Qualities Office (GQO) launched a Toolkit for Returners.
The toolkit is designed "as a roadmap following every stage of returning to work, with information, ideas and actions. It includes advice on care and flexible working, free resources to refresh skills, returners networks to join, and returner-friendly jobs boards and recruiters." To access the blog and press release follow the link here.
Parents in the profession
Guides for solicitors and others working in legal services who are about to embark on or return from a period of maternity, shared parental or adoption leave and their line managers.
