26.02.2026

INTOO launches new programme that supports working parents to thrive

The transition into parenthood can be one of the most significant life events people experience. But for many working parents, the path comes fraught with extra anxieties around their workplace situation. As data reveals growing concerns around parental leave, flexible working and workload pressures, INTOO UK & Ireland, leading outplacement and executive coaching specialists, is urging employers to look more closely at how to support new parents in the workplace.

“There’s no question that becoming a parent is life changing. But that doesn’t mean you should have to take huge steps back in your career,” said Owen Morgan, Managing Director of INTOO (pictured above). “When employers provide the right structure and support, new parents return to work more focused, more confident and more loyal.”

To help combat these challenges, INTOO has launched its Maternal & Parental Coaching Services, a bespoke Parental Executive Coaching Programme, designed to equip both the parent and employer with the right tools to navigate parental leave. Structured across four phases: pre-leave, during leave, return-to-work and nine months post-return, the programme provides dedicated one-to-one coaching that helps new parents prepare for leave, stay connected while away, and return in a way that aligns both personal and career goals.

Support is especially critical for mothers, who continue to bear the brunt of poor parental leave provisions and insufficient workplace flexibility. According to the Working Families Index 2025, four in 10 mothers didn’t feel they took enough time with their baby, while 14 per cent had no parental leave entitlement at all. Those without access to enhanced parental leave typically took six weeks less than those who had it, showing how financial and organisational support plays a key role in shaping the early months of motherhood.

Mothers are also more likely to step back from job opportunities due to lack of flexibility. Furthermore, over half of parents are unaware of their right to request flexible working, meaning transparency and education remain at the forefront of these issues.

Morgan added: “All parents need tailored support. The needs of mum and dad aren’t the same, but as you’d expect most of the work we do is with women. Too often, women are put in a position where they feel they have to choose between being present for their children and progressing their careers. We work with organisations to ensure that isn’t the case and that parents, especially mothers, are supported to return to work with confidence and continue growing professionally.”

The coaching programme also tackles key concerns like confidence, setting healthy boundaries, and managing expectations - areas that disproportionately impact women returning to the workplace after having a baby. Forty-six per cent of parents reported difficulty maintaining work-life boundaries, often finding themselves compensating with additional hours. Seven in 10 mothers and eight in 10 fathers report working additional hours, declaring they believe it to be an essential way of coping with workload or the cost of living, per the Working Families Index.

“Our coaches understand the psychological and emotional pressures new parents face, and especially ones new mothers face,” said Morgan. “They work with individuals to rebuild confidence, plan their return, and feel empowered about the future rather than overwhelmed, or maybe even underwhelmed if they’re returning to work in a role that has been stripped back from the exciting projects they were working or which have been delegated elsewhere within the business."

As organisations continue to grapple with retention and engagement challenges, INTOO is urging employers to take a proactive approach.

Morgan adds: “Retaining talented women shouldn’t be a challenge. But too often it is, simply because the support isn’t there. With the right guidance and policies in place, businesses can change that and create workplaces where mothers are set up to succeed, not sacrifice.”

Part of Gi Group Holding, one the world’s largest and fastest growing HR and recruitment providers, INTOO helps people move forward confidently after redundancy or dismissal, with tailored support and expert guidance.

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