Career Returner Programme at Enfield Borough Council

We are proud to be the first local authority to have launched a Career Returner Programme as part of our recruitment and retention strategy.

The programme is aimed at professional roles where we have struggled to recruit and is designed to attract experienced candidates with a proven track record in their professional field, who are looking to return to their career after a prolonged break.

The programme was recognised nationally in the Personnel Today 2017 Awards winning the category for Innovation in Recruitment where we were up against fierce competition from high profile organisations including Barclays, DHL and Lloyds Banking.

The programme provides six months paid work experience, as well as coaching and mentoring support. During these six months, successful candidates have access to our internal training events and support to refresh their skills and knowledge, and learn more about local government.  At the end of the programme they are eligible to be considered for permanent or temporary roles within Enfield Council.

Jayne Middleton-Albooye, Head of Legal Services

“For the legal department, the Career Returner Programme represents an exciting opportunity for the returners and the department. We're extremely pleased to have welcomed four lawyers, who brought with them a wealth of experience from different sectors. For the existing team, this programme offers the chance to be coaches and mentors and adds to the training culture we already have in place. The quality of the applicants was impressive and I am proud to be part of this unique scheme.”

Mukharram Mirbabaeva

Before a seven-year career break to raise my two young children, I was Operations Director with a housing association. When my children were both settled in primary school, I was ready to return to work. However, finding a job that not only matched my experience and expertise but was part-time, flexible and local was very hard! Fortunately, I joined Enfield Council’s award-winning Career Returners Programme which made my return to work a possible, positive and enjoyable experience.

The programme offered paid work experience, training and excellent coaching sessions with like-minded returners who instantly became a support group. The Council’s wonderful HR placed me in the housing department where I could utilise my skills and experience. My very experienced and supportive line manager enabled me to work on different projects, helped me regain my professional confidence and valued the new ideas and practices I developed to improve services we provide to our residents. My knowledgeable mentor helped me navigate the complex world of local government.

I now manage the council’s Temporary Accommodation and Rehousing Services, a part-time permanent role. I love working for Enfield Council, I have a great team who are hardworking and committed to making Enfield a better place and look forward to contributing further to the council’s ambitious plan to end homelessness in the borough.