Frontline social work programme as a parent of young kids

[onesadmama]

I'm finishing my (economics and business) degree this year with an expected 2:1 and coming to the end of my maternity leave also.

I work in a very corporate pencil pushing job and whilst it pays well and has great benefits/flexibility I'm so bored with it and dreading going back.

I'm tempted to apply for frontline social work programme so I can convert to becoming social worker, as I'd like a job that could make a difference.

Has anyone any experience of doing this course with young children? How was it?

I gave up frontline social work when I had dc, I couldn't see anyway it was compatible with family life ( unless you have family round the corner who can do childcare for you, last minute and unknown hours)

I did 23 years in social work, qualifying as my marriage was breaking down. It is a tough but stimulating job which encompasses many aspects of adult care you can choose from. Child care need not be the be all and end all although they will continue to act as if they are.
Not the best paid, especially for someone leaving a corporate career. As against that you will have a career which brings you into contact with diverse groups of individuals. You will never be weary trying to figure out the best course of action. I loved it, but I did have my ex husband and my parents backing me up with the children.

I am a child protection social worker and think with organisation and a good manager it would work. Obviously rhere are situations which arise that means sometimes we have to work late, so it can be unpredictable but with a back up plan it's fine. I know on the teams ive worked on over the last 7.5 years we have always supported each other (if someone has to leave due to childcare then someone else would cover for them).

It depends on what support you and the father have for childcare as it is demanding and unpredictable. You will have to stay out until late at night with little or no warning/early morning unannounced visits . I had nights agreed with husband for when he would step up routinely and I would volunteer to do extra, help with crises then even if not my allocation in the hope that on other nights other people might help me out if i was struggling . It can depend on how supportive your manager and team are and you . Court reports etc in own time if deadlines are looming. But you are unlikely to be bored.

I did my qualification as a single parent of a one year old and qualified when he was 4. Had to give it up three years later as DS diagnosed autistic and also the job was absolutely exhausting. I was driving 500 miles a week on top of all the emergency stuff . I wish I'd done it pre kids .

Stick with the job you've got. Social work is an absolute faff, full of frustrated people trying their best to work within a broken system.

Social work has a very high burn out rate and is criminally underfunded. I wouldn't do it with young kids.

I qualified when daughter was just going to high school and went into child protection. I am about to leave that post as I am emotionally and physically exhausted. I came from a well paid corporate background and never have I worked as hard as I have for the pat year.
I have loved a lot of the stuff I have done but have no work life balance and as others have said, it's a broken system. If you choose to do it you need to have your eyes fully open to what it entails. Good luck whatever you decide.

I supervise people on the Frontline programme. It is intense as you are compressing a 3 year course into less than 2 years, however, If you have support with childcare and are well organised then go for it. People with all sorts of degrees are doing it. You do have to stay with children's for at least 2 years as the purpose is to get more workers into children's, however it is interesting work and guaranteed employment.