Burnt out and desperately need a new job!

[Inneedofanewjob]

I’m a TA and the job is almost unrecognisable since I started five years ago.

I’ve been one to one with a little boy with SEN in year 2 five days a week since the start of the school year. We’ve built a really good relationship and have made so much progress, but he’s also prone to violent meltdowns which have resulted in me being bitten, scratched and having objects thrown at me. This is mitigated by spending most of our time out of the classroom in a quiet zone, meaning I have very little interaction with anyone else outside of playtime and lunch.

I feel a huge sense of responsibility and pour everything I have into my work, and while it can be incredibly rewarding with some lovely moments, I’m utterly depleted. My days are either super intense or totally monotonous. I’m finding myself in a sort of daze when I get home most evenings and it’s now spilling into my weekends. My mental energy is at rock bottom and I’m just ready to move on.

I want something with variety where I don’t feel tied down. Maybe that’s asking too much? Not overly bothered about progression or climbing the ladder, I just want a job that still allows me to switch off and feel like a human when I finish for the day! All suggestions welcome!

Please go and speak with somebody. Perhaps suggest you do half days only in the 1 2 1 situation and the other half in a classroom supporting a variety of kids. Tell them truthfully that this is causing you too much stress

I’ve already asked if the days could be split between me and another TA but it’s just not possible @ByQuaintAzureWasp. We’re hugely understaffed for one and the child really struggles with change so even if we did have extra bodies, it would be a very gradual and lengthy process.

What about a shop or garden centre? Do you have any qualifications or interests? What is there in your area? Btw, I knew you would be working in a school when I saw your title!

If you really are thinking of quitting then tell your management that if they aren’t prepared to split the role you will be looking for another job. Maybe they’d rather split it than recruit

what are your admin skills like? Dealing with the general public? If both good look out for jobs like church admin, it’s not actually about religion at all in the main (though you can’t be anti) it will involve a combination of admin, presentation skills, responding to people straight off the street who may be in distress, I run a toddler group, a group for adults with Sen, a book club, an older adults social club oh and occasionally I take morning prayer but my predecessor didn’t, was my choice. It’s literally the definition of variety, what job takes you from making tea for then helping a family who have just lost a loved one organise a memorial service to negotiating a photocopier contract to helping elderly people with their tech to running a soup kitchen in a day. Not for everyone, but an unusual job

The thing is @ForCraftyWriter I’m at the point now that it wouldn’t matter if my days were split, I just need out.

The situation in schools really is dire, isn’t it @fouroclockrock? I was in a finance related admin/managerial role before but I was bored stiff! I also loathe office politics and corporate bollocks. TA hours were a much better fit for family life and it initially gave me the variety I craved.

That sounds perfect @hahagogomomo! Is it CofE?

Such a sad situation, this little boy really shouldnt be in mainstream school and its sickening how they keep trying to force special needs kids in mainstream schools rather than fund or open more special schools

As for other jobs how do you feel about teaching assistant/matron jobs in private education? These schools tend to be more elitist so probably not as much bad behaviour or sen and may be better paid? Though there may be more snootiness

The situation is schools is indeed ridiculous. I sometimes see the church type jobs mentioned above in local news websites but the pay is next to nothing. Do you have a local newspaper or website that advertises jobs? Or could you look on the local council site or civil service site?

Bless you. It’s so hard. How about midday staff or kitchen staff?

Sorry, no. I want out of the school environment entirely.

I realise there are a myriad of reasons this may not be possible but just on the off chance it is, local authorities are desperate for foster carers and you do get paid.

I’m burnt out with the responsibility of being a one to one TA and looking for something with less pressure where I don’t feel tied down @hedgehogshibernating. Sorry to be blunt but how on earth could you think fostering fits the bill?

Clearly it isn’t for you. However, to answer your question in a general way, not all fostering involves the sort of intense work you’re doing at the moment. I’m sorry for replying - I wish I hadn’t bothered. I wish you well.

I’ve left the education sector too because of this issue. No job just make you feel like that. I’ve gone into something else. You should look on the council website and apply for anything that suits. I honestly don’t understand how schools even get TAs now, it’s underpaid and hard work. Children with SENs should be placed in specialist schools with extra support staff, mainstream is not suitable. The government needs to build more, as there aren’t enough specialist schools.