Any social workers out there working term time only and reduced hours?

[ArcticRoll]

I returned to work full time as s.worker but finding it a bit overwhelming and am negotiating with manager working a 27 hour week, term time only.
Just wondered whether there is anyone else in lovely MN world who is doing this successfully (or not)and whether it can be done without pissing off colleagues etc.

[Wilts]

On my last placement my supervisor worked a three day week and term time only. This was in a voluntary agency though. My friend was in a statutory placement and her supervisor was also term time only.

I will be interested in any proper replies you get as it has been strongly implied to us that we will struggle to get part time hours, although clearly you can do them.

[ArcticRoll]

Thanks for your replies Wilts and MarthaFarqua-I work in hospital team - short term work but not sure whether doing term time only is workable really.

[floatyjosmum]

i work in child protection and have to agree with MarthaFarquhar about the case load position.
in cp they make a big thing about children not changing social workers and it would not be mpossible to work termtime but there are workers who work reduced hours.
have to say though that when urgent matters come in on cases and it turns out to be the workers regular day off theres often some bitching about it.

[slowreadingprogress]

I went back full time as a SW in January - lasted 6 months, then asked to go part time and they were absolutely fine about it. I work 3 days a week.

I have a colleague who works 18 hours a week, term time only and they have been fine about that too.

It brings it's own stresses because before the holidays she is working like stink to get her cases into 'shape' to be left or duty only for some weeks. But she does it, and most staff are supportive of her.

[MPearl]

I guess that would depend on 'the needs of the team' as my manager would say & whether other colleagues in the team with children would want to do the same. I also work in a hospital setting & would love to do term-time working, but I think previous colleagues have already been refused, so I dare not ask. I am aware of 'care managers' in community teams ie doing reviews/short term work who do term-time working only. I am interested in your outcome as we may have a new manager soon.

[slowreadingprogress]

MPearl that's such a shame you dare not ask.

Trouble with social work is that historically it doesn't have a strong union behind it so conditions have not improved so far as they could have done.

But the thing is we are in a fairly powerful position, with so many vacancies un-filled nationally it is surely better for a manager to have a few part timers than a few unfilled posts.

[nymphadora]

I am family worker and work part time and that's common here. I find it hard to not go over my hours though it's a good job we have flexi time!

The ewos work term time only but are full time the rest of the year