can anyone relate to this ... left professional post 10 years ago and now empty nest?

[strongandenduringfriendships]

Has anyone else done similar? I left Social Work position 10 years ago after 14 years as it didn't fit with family life, I work in Social Care as a support worker now as it fit around school hours. Dc are now both at Uni and I'm kind of wondering what next, could do with some direction, my friends who stayed with careers seem so confident and capable compared to me now. I certainly don't regret those years as it worked for our family, however I'm definitely very deskilled and lacking in confidence. Any ideas or tips on how I can get back to my former level of functioning? Is it even possible??

Can you do some refresher courses and go back to Social Work or do an MA?

thanks for reply, I have Master of Social Work however the thought of going back to the high caseloads and stress levels I used to work with make that a definite no for me

Could you do something more one on one? Maybe do a counsellor course? If you added that to your Social Work MA you would seem to me highly desirable in a range of more one on one work. Maybe in a school?

SW often travel "sideways " into other roles
for example Parkinson's UK have specialist support workers who use their knowledge of the systems to assist people with PD
Macmillan employ people to help with claiming benefits
Citizen's advice have some volunteer and some employed people

I think if you look around the charitable sector you might fnd a role that would interest you, use your skills but better suit where you are in your life now

that's a really good suggestion, it would work well with my experience, since DC have gone I realise how much my week revolved around them! Thank you!

Go back and look for a course? My neighbour went the Open University and re-trained with 40.

the thought of being with young bright students fills me with terror, I will need to build confidence back up to be able to do that! Feel like a bit of cliche but it can't just be me, thanks for the suggestions

A friend of mine is a SW in a private sector fostering agency, she loves it, much lower workload and better pay.

I know 3 people in their forties who started it and they said it's very much more a older student set-up. OU is seen as something you can do next to your current job so apart from the very few lectures in person you may not interact with others that much.

thanks for the ideas everyone