What about legal advice?
Around 10% of calls to our Advice Line need further legal advice. PTS does not provide legal advice, legal representation or legal services directly, since we don’t have the resources or regulated expertise to do so.
We have always signposted these calls to other legal advice providers, including partner organisations. Since 2025 we have primarily signposted to fellow charity Working Families, who have provided completely free legal advice, available up to the point of litigation. This has meant more callers have been able to access entirely free support, which is a core part of why we exist as a charity.
This is why, in light of the devastating closure of Working Families, our focus remains on ensuring parents can access free, high-quality legal advice that isn’t tied to a single for-profit provider. We’re exploring the best long-term model to deliver that, including partnerships with other charities.
What has changed in what PTS offer?
The only change is our signposting to a range of partners for cases requiring further legal support. The model of working with others to provide legal support has not changed.
Why can’t I always get through to the advice line?
Our advice line is run by incredible, highly trained volunteers: parents, HR professionals, and experts who give their time to support other mothers.
Demand is huge - demonstrating the stark reality of life for so many working mothers, parents and families right now. Sometimes that means you might not get through straight away - please check our opening times and keep trying.
We are here, we are growing, and we are expanding our capacity every month.
What are you doing to improve access?
A lot!
- We’re expanding our volunteer reach with new recruitment and training
- We have relaunched our Tribunal Mentor Programme, a peer to peer support service for women and parents taking legal action against an employer for pregnancy and maternity discrimination, including adoption.
- A new online Advice Forum is coming soon for 24/7 peer and expert guidance.
What should I do if I can’t get through right now?
- Try again - volunteers answer as many calls as they can (lunchtimes and Fridays tend to be quieter than other times)
- Check our online advice first, it’s packed with answers to the most common questions and might get you what you need faster. You can access our advice pages here.
- Check our signposting page here.
What is PTS doing next?
Our work to help mums and parents navigate current systems runs alongside our campaigning work to make the systems better - so that parents are supported and celebrated, not penalised. Find out more about our campaigning for long-term change here.
We’ve also secured funding for a major new programme tackling the long-term financial impact of the motherhood penalty, because it doesn’t end when children start school or even when they graduate. More coming on this soon!
