The Lone Parent Positive Workplaces (LPPW) Project is a Scotland-wide partnership led by Fife Gingerbread, working alongside One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) and Strathclyde Business School. We are on a shared mission to work with employers and parents to build fair, supportive, and flexible workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to flourish, whilst also creating a labour market where employers can benefit from the skills, commitment, and potential that parents bring.

Our outcomes will enable us to achieve our vision: 

o   Reduce and prevent lone parent poverty at scale through creative trauma informed parental employment approaches.

o   Develop and test new approaches to lone parent employability and employment (connecting with both employers and families).

o   Make evidence-based recommendations to achieve systemic & transformational change to the world of work and highlight relevant policy constraints.

o   Mobilise key stakeholders by creating a fearless social movement that addresses the polarisation and inspires change.

Why This Matters

Across Scotland, too many lone parents are unable to access fair and sustainable work. Childcare pressures, transport barriers, and limited flexibility in the workplace often keep families trapped in low-paid or insecure employment. Despite their skills and determination, many parents remain locked out of the labour market, while employers miss out on an experienced and motivated workforce.

What We’re Doing

The LPPW Project will turn insight into action with our Parent Advisory Board shaping the project with their life experiences and ideas.

Over the next year, we will be working with Ambassador employers (Public Health Scotland, Greener Kirkcaldy and Fife Sports & Leisure Trust) to pilot practical models of fair work by piloting the Lone Parent Positive Workplaces Charter, guided by 5 Principles: Empathy, Support, Fair Work, Flexibility, and Progression. We will test these 5 Principles in practice to create fairer workplaces through job crafting, progressive flexible working models, and inclusive workplace cultures.

Our approach aligns with the Small Village Principles, which emphasise collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility across sectors to tackle inequality and strengthen community wellbeing. You can read more in the Small Village Principles Report by Collective Scotland.

The pilot projects will help us refine, test and demonstrate what a LPPW looks like in practice. The learning from our partnerships will shape the national LPPW Charter roll-out.

Why Employers Should Get Involved

Employers who participate are joining a movement for change. Working with us offers the chance to access a diverse and dedicated pool of talent, while building a stronger, more inclusive workplace. Employers will benefit from practical support, fresh perspectives, and the opportunity to lead the way. Demonstrating a genuine commitment to social impact, tackling child poverty and addressing inequalities.

We are inviting forward-thinking employers to join us. Whether you want to explore flexible job design, pilot inclusive working models, or become an ambassador employer, we would love to collaborate with you.

We know that work can play a vital role in reducing child poverty, but only when that work is flexible, fair, and provides opportunities to progress. Above all, it must be grounded in empathy and support.

If you would like to find out more or discuss how your organisation can get involved, please get in touch.

Dawn Price, Project Manager Scotland, Lone Parent Positive Workplaces (LPPW)

Dawn.Price@Fifegingerbread.org.uk