Can I change jobs at 50?

[StillMedusa]

I've been a TA in special school for the last 15 years. I still love the kids but the physical wear and tear has ruined my body ( yes we hoist but try changing the bottom of a 16 year old and keep a happy spine) plus all the years of being hit, kicked, etc on a daily basis. Plus the politics and the grim of money for sufficient staff means I have seen the quality of education and support we offer has just gone down and down.

I tried to leave... and lasted 8 weeks because my new job I was working solo and missed being part of a team and the caring, so went back.

But realistically I can't do this until I'm 67.. my back is shot and I'm tired of dealing with severely challenging behaviour day in day out.(i'm talking total room trashing, having tables thrown at me etc... and believe me I work in a good school but with highly challenging pupils)

Once I was a reasonably intelligent graduate with skills, now I;m nearly 51 and jaded. I've seen a few jobs which are caring related but in s slightly different field. I don't need school hours any more, as have only one actually dependent child (21 but with autism, but easy to live with)
Is it worth trying to make a change or am I too old for any other employer to even consider me?

You my darling can do anything you want!

Don’t stay in a shit job through fear. Get out and find a job you love!

I agree, you have potentially nearly another 20 years of working life left. Too long to be miserable. And how will your retirement be if your body is shot from all of this? I said in a similar post to someone the other day, you will have many transferable skills. Working under pressure, dealing with difficult situations etc. Look at the jobs you would like to do and match your skills to what they are looking for. Good luck

Thank you both!
I have been looking at vaguely related jobs (NHS outreach, assistant therapy (as I have been carrying out physio for years plus did half an OT degree in my 30s before my dh got posted abroad and accidentally scuppered that)
I know I have the skills to work in a team, and with tricky people and situations... but I feel so OLD and that saps my confidence. I'd be no good in an office I don't think... I'm used to being on the move all day, but I want to be caring but no longer abused.

That’s good though, you have narrowed it down to the things you know you would enjoy. Look at it another way, how much experience do you have to offer? A lot by the sounds of it. You wouldn’t be phased if you faced a difficult situation in a job. You are flexible, reliable, hard working. Don’t underestimate those qualities. You have a lot to offer an employer. So many people are making career changes in their 40s and 50s now. With the retirement age having gone up to 67 many people are re-evaluating their career choice. It’s not unusual at all so try not to let it worry you.

Definitely you can - I have! I went into a typical mum type job when dd was born and when her dad left us was left struggling. I thought I was stuck in that role until retirement and to be honest dreaded the thought.
Last week I signed my new contract and at 60 years old I am back in a Junior role that will utilise skills from way back when as well as from my current role.
Go for it - you have nothing to lose!

6o????!!!!!!
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A family member changed industry at the young age of 62, after 2 years career break. Not in education or care related field. But it is possible. Just find the right role and work place. Good luck!

From a different perspective, as you describe it as 'wear and tear' and a bad back, and being tired of challenging situations, and I don't mean to criticise at all, nor do I have any suggestions that it is the case now or in the past, or definitely ever, but from the perspective of the children and their parents (I am one of them), it might be better for children if you change, if your heart is not in caring anymore. These children seem to have a very hard life and they deserve people who want to help them, who have that energy left. As a parent of a child with SEN, I think it is a valid perspective.

And thank you for caring for these children, for what you do

Look on Nhs jobs. That should give you an idea about what 's available. If you're concerned about your back however I 'd choose carefully where to work as some roles such hca ones will undoubtedly involve a fair amount of physical activity, equally some wards can have a number of challenging patients also, although mercifully they are usually very much in the minority.
There may be openings in other departments -ecg technician, venepuncture, Ot assistant but I'm not sure how often vacancies like those come up as I can imagine they're quite attractive propositions.

Pumpkin It's not the kids...I still love them as much as I ever did,they are the most interesting and fabulous people, but the repeated cuts and subsequent reduction in everything we are able to offer has just made mefeel sad and like I am not doing as good a job as I could be. I would carry on except for the knowledge that my back just can't hold out much longer..and I totally agree, it needs more young people who have 20 years in them before their bodies crash. My eldest son is a TA in the same school and his energy is just brilliant, but the pay is so poor he can' t afford to leave home and so it will never be his permanent career and he works 3 jobs to try and save money.
To reassure you, neither I nor anyone else, does the job if they don't love the children ..it's too hard and the pay is just embarrassingly bad!

Career shifts can be hard to get started with, especially as the years go on. I did it 3 years ago, but was 35.

I've been thru this with a couple of other people too, and part of the trick is about seeing the skills your current role requires, and where those skills may also have a use.
You gave a couple of alternates above - and if they are where your heart lies then all good - but for the outsider, it looks like variations on a theme.
I don't know your role that well, but as an outsider I see: effective communication, patience and personal resilience, conflict resolution, planning and process, knowing when to hold the line and when to give...
All of which sounds great for a equally exasperating career in customer service.
It's not an easy task, but can you look at your job not in terms of what you do, but how you do it? The personal tools you need to fulfil your role. That may give you a wider picture on alternate careers.