Return to work parents

Returning to work after raising a family?

When a person puts their career on hold to bring up children, the same can’t be said of their learning and development. Parents learn to be organised, to make decisions, to solve problems, to be creative, to be patient and empathetic, to support and guide. Parents also develop the ability to communicate in many different ways. The very things that helped you to raise a family are what could equip you for a career within the community care and disability sector.

A return to work after a break can seem daunting, and it’s only natural to worry about whether your old job will have changed, or be able to accommodate your new responsibilities. More daunting, perhaps, is the prospect of setting out on an entirely new career path.

Why is the disability and community care sector different?

The disability and community sector is one of the few industries which openly welcomes people juggling family life and returning to work.

It not only recognises that the skills you’ve developed in raising your family can be relevant at work, but in certain situations they may count towards training and qualifications.

The availability of flexible rosters and shift work is a great benefit in the sector, and whilst not all roles offer the same levels of flexibility, you’ll find it an exceptionally family friendly environment. You can also take advantage of the opportunities to do some return to work training and to work towards a specialisation that does offer the  flexibility you’re looking for.

The breadth of roles on offer and the training available take the fear factor out of forging a new career or returning to work. Training is often available on the job in many organisations and there’s a good chance that you’ll qualify for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - which is an acknowledgement of the skills and experience you bring to the job.

So, is it just parenting in a different setting?

A job in the sector is not like being a parent, but you can apply the skills that you have learned in raising a family - problem solving, creativity, lateral thinking, spontaneity and helping another person to develop and discover life.

The breadth of the sector means that along with direct support roles, there are also jobs in indirect support areas like finance and administration, and also a range of professional roles.

Related links

  • Health Education & Training Institute

    The Office of Health Education & Training Institute has been established to provide leadership and coordination in clinical education and training for allied health professions.

  • Raising Children Network

    The respected Australian parenting website, Raising Children Network, has resources for parents returning to the workforce or seeking ways to balance work and family life.

  • Return to work courses

    Career One's website provides information and resources for return to work parents, including courses for mothers getting back into the workforce.

  • TAFE NSW Courses and campuses

    Search the TAFE NSW database for courses relating to your interests and campuses local to your area.

 

Glossary - Return to work parents

  • Allied Health Professionals

    Allied Health Professions Australia, a national representative body, describes the following roles as Allied Health roles - audiologists, dieticians, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, orthotists and prosthetists, pharmacists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, radiation therapists, social workers, sonographers and speech pathologists. Many of these roles are available within the disability and community care sector.…

  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is when the skills and experience you've gathered in your life so far, whether at work or at home, are assessed for relevance and may be accepted as credits towards a qualification at the discretion of your employer.…

A return to work parent