If you work in safeguarding or teenage mental health then how did you get there?

[hidinginthenightgarden]

I am currently a teacher in a college and I really feel like my role should be pastoral instead. I long to be helping these kids in a much deeper way than teaching them something they care not one bit about.
Ideally I would like to be working with safeguarding but not in social care capacity, linked to the removal of children from homes or perhaps a counselling role.
No idea what to do to get there! I have a degree in psychology and a PGCe. Any idea what I need to do next?

bump

I think the best way you can help kids is by educating them.

I don't work in this field but my suggestion would be looking at children's mental health services.
My autistic son currently has a fabulous worker helping him with anxiety.

Other option is CSS (pupil referral units).

PalePink - i agree, but there are so many issues in the way of their education. So many experience high levels of anxiety or have such chaotic lives that they aren't in the right place to be educated. They need to feel safe and secure in order to learn and progress and sadly these kids often haven't known security.

NHS jobs.

Investigate the roles of child psychological wellbeing practitioner and education mental health practitioner.

Both jobs pay you while you train.

Thanks!

I get that hiding but to be totally honest with you I think child mental health is the fad of the moment. Once it’s over you may struggle.

You sound like a nice person who wants to help and the key out of a chaotic life starts with education, qualifications and opportunities.

I fear you may find working in these areas extremely frustrating.

Sorry but I don't believe it's a fad at all, I think you only have to look at rising suicide rates to know that we have a pretty big problem on our hands.
CAMHS have been absolutely incredible with my son, who quite possibly wouldn't be here if not for their help. I've no clue as to how you go about changing/training but I'm sure if you're feeling pulled in that direction then you would be an asset, go for it & good luck

I’m a nurse working in sexual health with vulnerable young people. I work a lot in multidisciplinary teams with police, social workers and school safeguarding leads (Designated Safeguarding Lead). Is there an opportunity to speak to the DSL at your place of work to get a feel for what they do, day to day? Child safeguarding work can be very intense indeed, you need to prepare yourself for that.

If you can’t have an informal chat with your DSL about their role and how they got into it (it may be that your employer could help with training as part of your CPD), you could just start with looking up DSL job descriptions on the net.

My job is 50% safeguarding/50% casework with vulnerable teens (due to mental health issues, disability, learning difficulties, family issues etc, so it isn't a total focus on MH if that's your main area of interest). It's stressful and heartbreaking at times but SO worth it when you can see that you have helped a child overcome a barrier or supported a family to access help in a difficult time.

I got into it by working in pastoral support in education for a number of years, in lower paid/lower responsibility roles, accepting any training I could. Are there any roles in your college that you might consider applying for? Any youth groups/charities locally who might want volunteers? Your experience as a teacher should be really valuable if you can highlight the transferable skills as well as the ability to connect with and support teenagers.

I would say a key aspect of my role which others don't always get immediately is the need for strong boundaries - the kids need to know you're not their friend, you need to know when doing the right thing isn't the thing that will make you popular or keep everyone happy, and you need to go home knowing you have fulfilled your responsibility and not staying up all night worrying about little Jessica/Johnny.

I’m a youth worker specialising in complex cases including substance misuse and CSE. I started out volunteering and then eventually got hired and worked my way up. It’s hard work and you need to be emotionally resilient.

There aren’t rising suicide rates. It is a fad. Stats are being manipulated to make it appear as if there is a crisis: there isn’t. Well, there is, but no more than normal.

Though this is a bit confusing, Ideally I would like to be working with safeguarding but not in social care capacity, linked to the removal of children from homes or perhaps a counselling role.

You don’t want to remove children from homes or be involved in counselling?

OR

You don’t want to remove children from homes but might quite fancy a counselling role?

If it’s counselling you want to do, then you need to train in counselling. Doing that well takes a long time though.

If you're working in safeguarding in any capacity there will always be times when you're linked to removing children from homes, whether you like it or not. My role morphed into a safeguarding role and I am seeing more of the darker sides of family lives than I would like.

Does your college have designated pastoral roles? Many do, so maybe keep an eye out?

Many universities have student support advisors.

Perhaps counselling or mental health nursing?

Virtual school ( dealing with kids not in education- often for many reasons).

Maybe think about what setting you want to be in, and what problems you would like to help them with.

Thanks ladies. Alot for me to think about.

( wellbeing advisor?)

I think my biggest problem is we cannot afford for me to take a pay cut which is how I would potentially get experience to help get me where I want to be. Childrens support worker for example is probably a good start but is a 8k pay cut.

I'm a Specialist Nurse in a secure children's home. I got here via 3 years training as a mental health nurse and 12 years practice in a range of mental health settings. I also did additional training alongside work in CBT and family therapy.

I like my role, and I am very lucky to have it. I get to work with kids and I feeling that the therapy we do is worthwhile, at least for some kids. I do have a role in giving a professional opinion about placements and welfare orders, but I never make the final decision.

Prior to my current role I was a senior nurse on an adolescent mental health admission ward and that was very tough.

Hiya
I'm am ex Science teacher (22 years) and 5 years ago I went for a role as Chaplain in our school. Out of 23 applicants I came second but the panel wanted to develop my pastoral skills further. I did a counseling diploma and alongside my teaching started supporting kids 1:1 in counseling support. I taught for 3 more years and then applied for a role as Assistant Head of year which is non teaching. I did a mental health first aid course plus other training over time and now run Student services, am an assistant Head of year, deputy DSL, designated LAC teacher, trained first aider and still do some counseling. I don't get paid a teaching wage but as I'm a manager I get an allowance for that. I also run whole school mental health awareness and this Easter am doing an 'exam success and mental health'workshop for students.
I love my job and it's such a privilege to be the other side of the teaching desk to have more time to look into and support the student through the story behind the behaviour.

Handbag that sounds like the sort of progression I am looking for. I am going to keep my eye out for pastoral roles and do as much training I can until then.

Have pm'd you

I mainly got here by working for the council and being redeployed and trained up in each role.
I have a degree.
I started out as a part time sports coach 30 years ago! It's been a varied career but I like where I am.

Have you thought of working for something like the Pilgrim Pupil Referral Unit? They provide hospital schooling for children with MH problems (amongst other things).