What Support Is Available for Women Re-Entering the Workforce?

Free Return to Work Bootcamps

ivee’s free 5* Return to Work Bootcamp has been proven to increase your chances of landing an interview and getting hired. Debunking the latest shifts in recruitment and best CV practices, this is everything you need to know about when looking to return to work.

Skills bootcamps

Government-funded Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses (usually up to 16 weeks) designed with employers. When you finish, you’re offered a job interview. Courses run across digital, data, green skills, construction, health and more.

Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs)

SWAPs combine short pre-employment training, work experience, and a guaranteed interview linked to a real vacancy, typically in up to 6 weeks. 

UK Returnship programmes

Returnships are paid, time-limited roles for professionals with an extended career break. You can find a list of the best returnship programmes in the UK here. 

• Free hours in England: Working parents of 9-month- to 2-year-olds can get 15 hours; from September 2025 this rises to 30 hours (3–4-year-olds already get 30). Check eligibility and apply via Tip: Ask your onboarding mentor about help with upfront or first-month childcare when starting work or training.Childcare Choices.
  
• Universal Credit childcare: Claim back up to 85% of childcare costs (monthly caps apply).
  
• Tax-Free childcare: Up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if disabled).

Tip: Ask your onboarding mentor about help with upfront or first-month childcare when starting work or training.

Flexible working from day one

Since April 2024, you can make a statutory request from your first day in a new job, which employers must consider. Check out ACAS’ official Code of Practice< and ivee’s templates for submitting a request, and reasons for doing so that employers will accept.

Advice lines

Working Families runs a free legal helpline for parents and carers on employment rights and in-work benefits. Maternity Action offers specialist advice on maternity rights and discrimination.

Ivee

ivee offers direct access to employers who want to hire people returning to work after a career break, offering flexible and inclusive job roles for returning UK professionals. ivee also offers a wealth of free services and resources, such as a free Return to Work Bootcamp and free CV review. 

UK Government

The Returner Toolkit offers guidance for people returning to work, including where to find programmes and how to explain your career break.

• Government-backed start-up loans

  £500–£25,000 with free mentoring for 12 months. Apply via GOV.UK.
  

• Women in Innovation (Innovate UK)

  Recurring competitions that award funding and support to female innovators. You can watch UKRI channels for live rounds.

1️⃣ Pick 2 job adverts that excite you and note down the required skills.

2️⃣ Enrol in a free Return to Work Bootcamp

3️⃣ Update your CV using the advice given in the bootcamp and get it reviewed for free. 

4️⃣ Start getting into a jobseeking routine each week by blocking out time for applications and online networking.

5️⃣ If you’re experiencing anxiety or low confidence, join ivee’s community of people returning to work or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies if you need some clinical help.