Marvin OnumonuINTOO UK & Ireland has launched a four-step parental executive coaching programme aimed at supporting working parents.
The programme covers pre-leave, during leave, return-to-work and nine months post-return, with one-to-one coaching for parents and employers.
Owen Morgan (pictured), managing director at INTOO UK & Ireland, said: “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.
“When employers provide the right structure and support, new parents return to work more focused, more confident and more loyal.”
The Maternal and Parental Coaching Services focus on helping parents prepare for leave, stay connected, and return to work with personal and career goals in mind.
Support is particularly targeted at mothers, with research from the Working Families Index 2025 highlighting that four in 10 mothers did not feel they took enough time with their baby, and 14% had no parental leave entitlement.
Mothers without enhanced leave took six weeks less than those who had it.
Additionally, research found that mothers are more likely to step back from job opportunities due to lack of flexibility.
Just over half of parents were unaware of their right to request flexible working.
Research also found that 46% of parents had difficulty maintaining work-life boundaries.
Seven in 10 mothers and eight in 10 fathers reported working additional hours, citing workload or cost of living as the main reason.
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.”
He said: “Our coaches understand the psychological and emotional pressures new parents face, and especially ones new mothers face.
“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 on or which have been delegated elsewhere within the business.
“Retaining talented women shouldn’t be a challenge.”
He added: “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.”
