5 answers
Ramat
Student
Bedford, England, United Kingdom
1
Question
Asked
874 views
How do I re-enter work in care management after a long break?
What is the best way to re enter work after having a baby? I was previously a deputy manager for a supported living organisation- helping people waiving with disabilities. I also have experience working with children in schools and with special needs. I want to re enter work part time due to childcare needs. I have a BSc in Psychology, First aid trained, managerial experience and willing to do NVQ in healthcare management. I have also worked in a care home and essentially would like to be a registered manager in the future.
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5 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
765
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Since you want to work part-time, yuo may look for roles such as Deputy Manager, Care Coordinator, Team Leader, or Senior Support Worker with flexible hours. These positions can help you rebuild your confidence while fitting around your childcare responsibilities.
You should update your CV to highlight your leadership experience, your psychology degree, first aid training, and your work with both adults and children with special needs. If there is a gap due to having a baby, simply explain it honestly. Career breaks for family reasons are common and generally well understood by employers.
Also, you can reconnect with former colleagues, managers, and professional contacts, as they may know about part-time opportunities. With your experience, qualifications, and clear career goal, you are in a good position to return to the care sector and continue progressing toward becoming a Registered Manager. All the best.
You should update your CV to highlight your leadership experience, your psychology degree, first aid training, and your work with both adults and children with special needs. If there is a gap due to having a baby, simply explain it honestly. Career breaks for family reasons are common and generally well understood by employers.
Also, you can reconnect with former colleagues, managers, and professional contacts, as they may know about part-time opportunities. With your experience, qualifications, and clear career goal, you are in a good position to return to the care sector and continue progressing toward becoming a Registered Manager. All the best.
Thank you Wong. This is very helpful and encouraging!
Ramat
You're very welcome
Wong Loke Yuen
Victor Okereafor
Researcher
2
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Victor’s Answer
Your experience already gives you a strong foundation. A career break to raise a child is common in the care sector and does not erase the skills you've built.
Since you're looking for part-time work, I'd suggest targeting roles such as care coordinator, deputy manager, assistant manager, senior support worker, or care manager in organisations that offer flexible or part-time schedules. These positions will help you rebuild recent experience while balancing childcare.
When updating your CV, present your career break honestly and focus on the transferable skills you've maintained, such as organisation, communication, problem-solving, time management, and leadership. Employers in health and social care generally value these qualities.
To strengthen your application, consider:
- Refreshing your knowledge of current care regulations and safeguarding practices.
- Completing short CPD courses in areas such as medication management, autism, dementia, or leadership in health and social care.
- Pursuing an NVQ/Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care when you're ready, as it's highly relevant if your long-term goal is becoming a Registered Manager.
Networking can also make a significant difference. Reconnect with former colleagues, join professional groups on LinkedIn, and let local care providers know you're seeking part-time opportunities. Many vacancies are filled through referrals.
Given your background—a BSc in Psychology, managerial experience, supported living, special educational needs, and care home work—you already have many of the qualifications employers look for. With a recent role and continued professional development, your goal of becoming a Registered Manager is both realistic and achievable.
I wish you the best as you return to the profession.
Since you're looking for part-time work, I'd suggest targeting roles such as care coordinator, deputy manager, assistant manager, senior support worker, or care manager in organisations that offer flexible or part-time schedules. These positions will help you rebuild recent experience while balancing childcare.
When updating your CV, present your career break honestly and focus on the transferable skills you've maintained, such as organisation, communication, problem-solving, time management, and leadership. Employers in health and social care generally value these qualities.
To strengthen your application, consider:
- Refreshing your knowledge of current care regulations and safeguarding practices.
- Completing short CPD courses in areas such as medication management, autism, dementia, or leadership in health and social care.
- Pursuing an NVQ/Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care when you're ready, as it's highly relevant if your long-term goal is becoming a Registered Manager.
Networking can also make a significant difference. Reconnect with former colleagues, join professional groups on LinkedIn, and let local care providers know you're seeking part-time opportunities. Many vacancies are filled through referrals.
Given your background—a BSc in Psychology, managerial experience, supported living, special educational needs, and care home work—you already have many of the qualifications employers look for. With a recent role and continued professional development, your goal of becoming a Registered Manager is both realistic and achievable.
I wish you the best as you return to the profession.
Thank you, Victor for the advice.
Ramat
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1420
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Ramat,
You already have something many employers value: relevant experience. Taking time away from work to have a baby doesn't erase the skills you've built as a deputy manager or your experience supporting people with disabilities, working in schools, and caring for individuals with additional needs. Think of this as returning to your profession, not starting over.
Since you're looking for part-time work, I'd begin by targeting roles that build on your previous experience while offering the flexibility you need. Positions such as Deputy Manager, Care Coordinator, Team Leader, or Senior Support Worker can be good options, particularly with employers that offer flexible or reduced hours. These roles will help you refresh your knowledge of current regulations and practices while keeping you on track toward becoming a Registered Manager.
I also think your plan to complete an NVQ in Healthcare Management is a good one. It shows employers that you're committed to continuing your professional development. In addition, take some time to familiarize yourself with any updates in adult social care, safeguarding, and care quality standards that may have changed during your career break. Completing a few recent training courses can also boost your confidence and strengthen your CV.
When updating your CV, don't feel the need to hide your career break. Be honest about it and focus on the strengths you bring back to the workplace. Your leadership experience, psychology degree, first aid training, and background in supported living and special educational needs are all valuable assets.
As you start applying, look for organizations that actively support flexible working and family-friendly policies. Many care providers recognize the value of experienced professionals returning to the workforce and are willing to accommodate part-time schedules.
Your long-term goal of becoming a Registered Manager is still very achievable. A part-time role now doesn't mean you're delaying your career. It simply means you're building it in a way that fits your current stage of life. With your experience and clear sense of direction, you're already well positioned to work toward that goal.
Your experience and commitment will continue to make a real difference in the lives of the people you support.
Best wishes!
You already have something many employers value: relevant experience. Taking time away from work to have a baby doesn't erase the skills you've built as a deputy manager or your experience supporting people with disabilities, working in schools, and caring for individuals with additional needs. Think of this as returning to your profession, not starting over.
Since you're looking for part-time work, I'd begin by targeting roles that build on your previous experience while offering the flexibility you need. Positions such as Deputy Manager, Care Coordinator, Team Leader, or Senior Support Worker can be good options, particularly with employers that offer flexible or reduced hours. These roles will help you refresh your knowledge of current regulations and practices while keeping you on track toward becoming a Registered Manager.
I also think your plan to complete an NVQ in Healthcare Management is a good one. It shows employers that you're committed to continuing your professional development. In addition, take some time to familiarize yourself with any updates in adult social care, safeguarding, and care quality standards that may have changed during your career break. Completing a few recent training courses can also boost your confidence and strengthen your CV.
When updating your CV, don't feel the need to hide your career break. Be honest about it and focus on the strengths you bring back to the workplace. Your leadership experience, psychology degree, first aid training, and background in supported living and special educational needs are all valuable assets.
As you start applying, look for organizations that actively support flexible working and family-friendly policies. Many care providers recognize the value of experienced professionals returning to the workforce and are willing to accommodate part-time schedules.
Your long-term goal of becoming a Registered Manager is still very achievable. A part-time role now doesn't mean you're delaying your career. It simply means you're building it in a way that fits your current stage of life. With your experience and clear sense of direction, you're already well positioned to work toward that goal.
Your experience and commitment will continue to make a real difference in the lives of the people you support.
Best wishes!
Thank you Chinyere! I will take it all on board
Ramat
You're welcome!
Chinyere Okafor
Hussain Al Banna
Chief executive officer of a governmental entity
5
Answers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Hussain’s Answer
Target part-time roles explicitly, don’t retrofit full-time ones. Search and apply for part-time or flexible-hours positions directly — don’t apply broadly and negotiate hours later. Care providers dealing with staffing shortages are often more open to part-time senior staff than you’d expect, but you have to find the roles built that way, not bend a full-time posting to fit.
Start the NVQ in healthcare management now, not after you’re hired. If registered manager is the long-term goal, that qualification is often a stated or unstated requirement. Being partway through it — or having it completed — makes you a stronger candidate immediately and signals you’re serious about the trajectory, not just re-entering at the same level you left.
Use your network before job boards. A former employer, colleague, or someone in your old organisation is far more likely to know about part-time openings or be willing to vouch for you than a cold application will get past a generic screen. One conversation with someone who already trusts your work outperforms ten applications to strangers.
Bottom line: you’re not starting over — you’re re-entering with a real track record. The obstacle is finding roles structured for the hours you need, not proving you’re capable.
Start the NVQ in healthcare management now, not after you’re hired. If registered manager is the long-term goal, that qualification is often a stated or unstated requirement. Being partway through it — or having it completed — makes you a stronger candidate immediately and signals you’re serious about the trajectory, not just re-entering at the same level you left.
Use your network before job boards. A former employer, colleague, or someone in your old organisation is far more likely to know about part-time openings or be willing to vouch for you than a cold application will get past a generic screen. One conversation with someone who already trusts your work outperforms ten applications to strangers.
Bottom line: you’re not starting over — you’re re-entering with a real track record. The obstacle is finding roles structured for the hours you need, not proving you’re capable.
Godfrey Magawe
Clinical officer nephrology
152
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
That's great
I can see you got a BSc in psychology and some work experience too and more so as a deputy manager.
I believe after such a long break,you need to convince the employers that you still has the capability to execute such management task as you too wish to be engaged on part time basis,
I believe you can request to have some little by little management task life few hours a week either you can work from home ,such like in relation to planning for staffing rota,other logistical support planning for the organisation hat might not need full time availability need .you can also do some approval of health care documents from your end.and check some quality issues within the organisation.
I took believe that having some extra qualifications or training on Quality such as continuous quality improvement (CQI) may also increase your employerbility.
Wish you the best always
I can see you got a BSc in psychology and some work experience too and more so as a deputy manager.
I believe after such a long break,you need to convince the employers that you still has the capability to execute such management task as you too wish to be engaged on part time basis,
I believe you can request to have some little by little management task life few hours a week either you can work from home ,such like in relation to planning for staffing rota,other logistical support planning for the organisation hat might not need full time availability need .you can also do some approval of health care documents from your end.and check some quality issues within the organisation.
I took believe that having some extra qualifications or training on Quality such as continuous quality improvement (CQI) may also increase your employerbility.
Wish you the best always
Thank you so much, Godfrey!
Ramat