If you have been on an (extended) break from work you may not be aware of the latest CIOT/ATT Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. Do familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and guidance which are available here.

The CPD regulations apply to members who: 

• 1.2.2. Work providing taxation services (which includes complementary accounting and legal services) including, without limitation, those in private practice, the public sector, commerce, industry or not for profit sector; or; 
• 1.2.2 do not fall in paragraph 1.2.1 above but who use the designation, CTA, CTA (Fellow), ATII, FTII, Chartered Tax Adviser, ATT, Taxation Technician, ATT (Fellow), Taxation Technician (Fellow) or ADIT.” 

You should assess and perform such CPD as is appropriate to your duties. 

You may have suspended CPD whilst temporarily not working, though some members will continue to have undertaken CPD during this period to maintain their skills.  In either case upon returning to work the CPD guidance suggests the following approach: 

• 10.5.2 After any break a member must bring their knowledge sufficiently up to date to resume activities. In order to minimise the impact, we suggest that members consider whether they are going to maintain CPD throughout the period when they are temporarily not working or undertake a more intensive CPD programme on returning to work as either approach is acceptable. If taking up a new role a member should consider whether any additional CPD will be required to enable them to carry out their duties effectively” 

It is a membership requirement to maintain records of all CPD undertaken and keep this record up to date.

The CPD guidance provides information on the wide range of activities that count as CPD. We recommend that you review section 9 so you may accurately identify and record all the relevant CPD you undertake.  

If you have any queries on your CPD requirements as a ‘returner to work’ please contact us.

Below are a list of resources that you can find to support you, regarding your rights: 

https://www.acas.org.uk/your-maternity-leave-pay-and-other-rights/returning-to-work-after-having-a-baby  

https://www.acas.org.uk/time-off-for-parents

https://www.att.org.uk/members/tax-advisers-benevolent-fund-tabf

The Small Group Workshop Programme supports members and students who are in their first six to twelve months back at work in a professional services or in-house professional role after a break (e.g. following a secondment, illness, caring, parental or adoption leave etc.) Its aim is to support members to get back into their professional groove through the building of both confidence and momentum.

The Returners 2 Work Programme in a nutshell

This is a six-month programme, combining in-person and online group sessions, group and peer coaching, and the support of a community of fellow returners, for those who want to rebuild their momentum and their mojo after a period away from their role in tax. 

Why are we doing this?

Returning to a role after a period of absence can be challenging and disorientating.  Far too many returners find it difficult to regather momentum or recalibrate their direction and can often lose their confidence in the process.   But this does not need to be their experience and, whilst the organisations in which these people work have a responsibility to address these challenges, there is also room for external support; through access to a community of individuals with shared experience, career and personal development content and tools focused on returning to work in tax, and coaching.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is aimed at individuals returning, or who have recently returned, to their role in tax following a period of absence (which could be as little as a few months or as long as a few years) for reasons that might include parental leave, caring, secondment or health.  This can also include those returning to a tax role following a career break where they have already secured/ commenced a new role.

Further information on the small group programme for potential participants (register your interest here Returners 2 Work 100% Discount Application Form)

What will the programme cover?

The broad framework of the course is as follows:

• Month 1 - Kick-off
  Your small group cohort | understanding challenges | the two Ms - momentum and mojo | recalibrating career direction - what success looks like for you | priorities, boundaries and expectations | peer coaching set-up and launch | your 6 month plan                                                                                                          

• Month 2 - Momentum - getting the support and opportunities you need
  What momentum means for you | the role of work/ career and its direction | the skills you need | overcoming roadblocks | getting the support you need

   

• Month 4 - Mojo
  What contributes to mojo | confidence, self-worth and true fulfillment | identity and authenticity | resilience

   

• Month 6 - 6 month review
  Celebrating successes | taking stock | resetting/ recalibrating | the next 6 months | re-contracting for ongoing peer coaching (if desired)  

When will the sessions run?

We are currently taking expressions of interest for our third and fourth Small Group Workshop Programme cohorts starting in April and October 2026. The provisional dates are as follows:

What is the time commitment for the programme?

The time commitment for the programme over 6 months is approximately 21 hours, comprising the following:

• Pre-workshop reading and reflection - up to 2 hours (30 mins per workshop)
• Workshops - 8 hours
• Check-ins - Up to 5 hours (10 x 30 mins if join all)
• Peer coaching - 6 hours

Will I be able to watch a recording if I can’t make a session?

We do not record the content so that programme participants can feel free to be open about their own experiences.  Slides, high level notes and reflection questions are shared with all participants afterwards. .

Should I let my organisation know I’m participating?

You don’t have to do this but we think it is a good idea, particularly as an early way to open up dialogue with your team, managers and leaders about the support that you may be needing in your return.

Who is leading the programme?

The programme is designed and led by Ruth Punter, a coach, facilitator and Chartered Tax Adviser working with teams, professionals and entrepreneurs to ignite and fire-up their personal, career, leadership and business goals. 

(register your interest here Returners 2 Work 100% Discount Application Form )

For more information or if you would like to talk about the Small Group Workshop Programme please contact:

Emma Barklamb, Head of Member Services ATT/CIOT
[email protected]

Ruth Punter
[email protected] +447828 219952  coaching.rhpcoach.com

The full toolkit is available on the gov.uk website and can be found here.

Contents include

1.Top tips for returning to work

2.Introduction and overview

3.Thinking about returning

4.Building your work confidence

5.Getting clear on your career direction

6.Updating your skills and knowledge

7.Preparing to return

8.Finding job opportunities

9.Exploring flexible options

10.Writing your CV and cover letter

11.Returning to work

12.Getting ready to return to work

13.Resources and links