CHILDCARE and counselling careers are the most ‘family friendly’ jobs, according to parents.

Research of 2,000 working parents with children aged 2-17 revealed the industries most likely to ease the struggle of parenting, with popular benefits including flexible hours and working from home.

Other professions considered good for new parents include accounting, being a teaching assistant, health and safety or human resources.

It also emerged that nearly half (48 per cent) of parents wish they could work in a more family-friendly environment.

And only 18 per cent feel their return to work after having a child was ‘seamless’.

The main factors new parents value most when heading back into the workplace was an understanding boss (34 per cent) and friendly colleagues (40 per cent).

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A spokesperson for Open Study College, which offers adults the opportunity to study new qualifications from home, said: "As we pass milestones in life, our priorities and goals can change.

“For some people, having a family is the most important thing to them and they’re happy to let their careers take a back seat.

“For others, the exact opposite is true – they want to continue excelling in their careers and will let others help more in terms of raising the family.

“Of course, it is possible to have both, which is why being in the right career or even the right company is really key.”

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The study also found 44 per cent of respondents want an easy commute after returning to work post-child.

But 57 per cent claim their work priorities didn’t change after having their first child.

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Of those whose life goals did shift, 48 per cent no longer wanted to work long hours, and 44 per cent were finished with working at weekends.

Nearly a third (31 per cent) changed careers after returning to work after having children, with many moving into a health or social care role.

While the study revealed the roles adults feel are good for working parents, it also uncovered the jobs deemed bad for a work-life balance.

Top of the list was being a police officer, due to all the paperwork and late shifts officers have to get through, according to the OnePoll figures.

This was followed by lawyers, journalists, and security guards, while 28 per cent believe being a surgeon isn’t a particularly family-friendly role.

Open Study College’s spokesperson added: “The roles in our list are what respondents consider un-family-friendly careers.

“That’s certainly not to say there aren’t positions in the police or event management that wouldn’t be suitable for those with kids.

“In fact, as the lists show, many consider events management for example, to be a perfectly family-friendly job.” 

TOP 20 CAREERS PARENTS BELIEVE ARE MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY:

1. Counselling

2. Childcare

3. Health and social care

4. Psychology

5. Teaching assistant

6. Accounting

7. Bookkeeping

8. Event management

9. Health and safety

10. Human resources

11. Marketing

12. Nursing

13. Public relations

14. Leadership

15. Project management

16. Beauty therapy

17. Physiotherapist

18. Nutritionist

19. Veterinary nursing support

20. Estate agent

TOP 10 LEAST FAMILY FRIENDLY CAREERS:

1. Police officer

2. Lawyer

3. Journalist

4. Security guard

5. Surgeon

6. Pharmacist

7. Chief executive

8. Retail salesperson

9. Tour guide

10. Chef

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