Feeling like a bit of a failure

[0rangesandlemon]

Why can't I go for better jobs, management positions? I know I can do them.
I'm 46 and still on £26000. My work is worthwhile and meaningful but pay is crap compared to my successful friends.
I didn't think I'd be here at this stage in my life. I did well at school but here I am a low earner scraping by, worrying about the kids going to uni and pensions. Anyone else the same?

is that the highest salary you’ve ever been on? and what industry and type of job?

so are you applying and not getting?

Yes it is the most I've earned. I work with people who are at risk of being made homeless and have substance misuse issues, as a support worker essentially.

Don't beat yourself up, OP. For one thing, you have a job you are probably doing really well - and a lot of people are struggling to find a job at all. For another, lots of people are on the same salary as you but are not in jobs that they find at all worthwhile or meaningful.

Are you actively looking for a better job at the moment? Internally or outside the company? What kind of job would you ideally want, and what are your strengths/skillset? Have you done any further training to give you a heads up in applying for better jobs, or taken any careers advice? Perhaps if you give a little more information people could give more advice.

I was in a similar situation until a couple of years ago. I was lucky enough to get a bit of a kick up the backside from a good line manager, and I went for a promotion. I got it, and have been doing the new role well since. If it is down to lack of confidence is there someone who can mentor you at work? That can be really helpful. Start making it known you would like to go for promotion and take any development opportunities that come up. Then you just need to go for it. The only way you will find out if you can do it, is to just take a deep breath and go for it.

I haven't looked for jobs, sometimes I do but none of them seem great. I haven't done anything to improve my situation either. No training or education on the side.
Why am I like this?

I can't afford to study part time to have better prospects.

Thank you this is kind of what I need I think.
In the past they told me to go for management roles but I didn't want to work full time with young kids. There are no opportunities to move up now.

I think this is the problem. I don't know what I want!
I like my job but I need more money!

I haven't applied for anything, I would probably do well at interviews for similar jobs to my own but I'd lack confidence in going for anything higher paid I suppose

If you like what you do find a local authority or NHS equivalent team and keep an eye on jobs through them. Then, once you're in post, apply for their internal training courses and apply for jobs 1 or 2 bands above you every 18 months or so until you get to your desired salary.

Make a list of your skills, in particular transferable skills. Check them against the skills needed at the next level up in your line of work - managerial within your organisation, local government or charity head. Start developing the skills for the next role up. Get a mentor who is already in such a role (ideally an older woman who wants to retire soon so won't see you as a competitor.)

Look at free online courses to develop your qualifications and skills or know-how in similar or compatible fields so your skill sets feed each other. You can train free in up to Level 4 (undergrad) counselling courses which could equip you to offer private counselling at evenings and weekends to top up your salary. Just 3 or 4 hours a week at the lower end of the scale (£35ph) could bring in over £500 more pcm. You probably have some skills already dealing with a vulnerable client group. You could specialise.

You could ask for a raise too. May not be much wiggle room in your sector. But no harm in saying the COL is impacting you badly and you'd like to negotiate a deal that reflects your experience and loyalty.

Or move sideways. Sometimes you can earn a few grand more in a similar role with a different organisation.

Have you considered doing a social work apprenticeship? Basically get paid as you work and study and then once qualified you would be on a lot more money plus lots of opportunities to progress. Not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination but sounds like you have all the background knowledge and skills already.

Regarding further study, have you looked into funding options - your employer? Whether you might be entitled to any grants, fee remissions, etc? What about starting with some free online courses first, such as Futurelearn?