Key points:
- Parents returning to work are a ready workforce
- Real job pathways turn confidence into employment
- Local partnerships strengthen workforce and community
Evidence content
For many parents, returning to work after raising children is not simply a question of finding a job – it’s about rebuilding confidence and understanding what work is realistic alongside family life.
This is a consistent pattern seen across Camden’s Family Learning programmes, where learners often identify a loss of confidence and a lack of recent work experience as key barriers.
In this case, several parents expressed an interest in becoming Midday Assistants – a role that fits around school hours and family commitments. This created an opportunity to connect learner aspiration with a clear workforce need in local schools.
In response, Camden Adult Community Learning developed a targeted pathway covering safeguarding, behaviour management, play support, communication and health and safety. The focus was not just on skills, but on building confidence in a real and relevant context.
A key part of the model is the partnership with a local school, where learners take part in supported placements. This allows them to experience the role first-hand, practise in a live environment, and begin to see themselves as employable.
This combination of structured learning and real-world experience helps reduce anxiety and bridges the gap between training and work.
As a result, learners have reported increased confidence and a renewed sense of purpose, with some progressing into paid Midday Assistant roles.
The model also highlights a wider opportunity. By aligning adult learning with local employer needs, it is possible to create realistic employment pathways for groups who are often overlooked – while simultaneously strengthening the local workforce.
Camden is now extending this approach to offer progression training for existing Midday Assistants, further building capacity within schools and improving the experience for children.
London Borough of Camden
Camden Adult Community Learning (CACL) sits within the Education and Inclusion Directorate of the London Borough of Camden and is closely integrated into council services through direct local authority investment. Other than the council, the service is commissioned by the GLA under its ASF stream to deliver mostly Entry Level and non-accredited courses.
- Delivery is entirely through outreach and partnership
- The service supports more than 2000 adults through a curriculum and advice offer shaped by local economic and social need
- Delivery via a range of academic departments including Family Learning, Essential Skills, Community Development, Health and Well Being, a Youth Employment Scheme (Targeting violence reduction) and sub-contracted Vocational courses
- One stop shop for adults in need of ESOL via Camden and Islington ESOL Advice Service, accessed by Job Centres and other agencies
