Parental transition programmes
Helping you support your people through moments that matterRedefining how work and family thrive together
Giving birth, becoming a father, adopting - however you do it, starting or growing a family is one of the most significant transitions an individual can go through - one that reshapes life and work, not just in the early years but throughout a person’s career. With the right support, organisations can help people navigate this change with confidence, maintaining connection, wellbeing and performance at every stage. At NFP, we work with businesses to create cultures where parenthood and career don’t compete - they strengthen one another.
Joanna Bristow
Consultant, Facilitator and Coach
The case for parental transition support
Starting or growing a family is a defining life event - and for employers, it represents a critical moment to engage, retain, and support talent. When parenthood is well-supported, employees return with renewed focus, loyalty, and confidence. When it’s not, organisations risk losing valued experience and momentum.
Our parental transition programmes provide tailored support for individuals and line managers before, during, and after leave - helping people feel confident, connected, and supported throughout. In partnership with you, we create inclusive solutions that reflect your culture and help you retain, engage, and empower your people.
A comprehensive parental transition programme helps to strengthen your organisation by improving:
Attraction
Stand out as an employer of choice by embedding inclusive, family-friendly practices that enhance your EVP and reputation for care and flexibility.
Retention
Keep great people for longer by supporting them to successfully balance family life with continued career growth and opportunity.
Productivity
Maintain engagement and motivation throughout the transition, helping people return confident, capable, and ready to contribute.
Costs
Reduce turnover and recruitment costs by retaining skilled, experienced employees - protecting both your talent pipeline and your investment in people.
1:1 Coaching and Personal Support
Our experienced transition coaches provide confidential, one-to-one support that helps employees build confidence, clarity and self-belief as they navigate the changes that come with parenthood and work. Each coaching journey is flexible and responsive - offering support in the moments that matter most, whether that’s before, during or after leave. The focus is on empowering individuals to make informed choices, manage change effectively, and continue to grow in their careers.
Group Workshops and Peer Connection
Our interactive group sessions bring parents and line managers together to share insight, explore challenges and strengthen their networks. Workshops focus on practical tools and mindset shifts that make transitions smoother and more sustainable - from preparing for leave to returning and re-engaging with work. This collaborative approach not only supports individuals at scale but also builds a culture of openness, empathy and shared learning across your organisation.
What you can expect from NFP
Every organisation is unique, which is why each parental transition programme we design is shaped around your people, your culture, and your goals. Our experience shows that the most effective approach supports employees - and their managers - before, during, and after parental leave.
Support and train
Pre-leave: We prepare employees and their line managers for the transition ahead - helping them plan practically and emotionally, build confidence, and strengthen communication. By setting clear expectations and strong connections early, we lay the groundwork for a positive experience on both sides.
Develop and coach
During leave: We help employees stay connected to the organisation in ways that work for them - through optional coaching, digital resources, and tailored communication. This keeps confidence, skills and engagement high while ensuring line managers maintain meaningful contact.
Engage and empower
Return and beyond: We support employees to make a smooth, sustainable transition back into the workplace. Through coaching, workshops and manager support, we help rebuild confidence, re-establish professional identity, and empower individuals to thrive in both their career and family life.
Parental transition testimonials
Watch our video testimonials to see how parental transition coaching empowers employees before, during, and after parental leave.
We can also support your people's aspirations in either your organisation or for their wider career as well as guiding your people through their retirement.
Case Study: Enhancing the Met Police’s Reputation as a Family-Friendly Employer
When the Metropolitan Police Service introduced its Met Baby programme through NFP, the results were transformative:
- 43% improvement in employees viewing the Met as a family-friendly employer
- 79% reduction in people feeling their career was negatively impacted by having a family
- 74% increase in participants more likely to stay and continue their career at the Met
- 27% reduction in people considering leaving due to poor management during parental transition
One delegate described it as “the single best training and support package I’ve had in 17 years on the job.”
These results show how inclusive parental transition programmes drive measurable business benefits while creating a culture where parenthood, in all its forms, including adoption, same-sex parenting and fertility journeys, is supported, not stigmatised.
Reach out to our parental transition specialists
To request a call back from one of our dedicated team, fill out the form below or call us directly on 01491 414 010.