To ask whether anyone has changed career from social work to something else

[Serendipity30]

And if so what career have they gone into and how did you do it? I am struggling in my current career at the moment and finding things very stressful especially with a family

Why do you not like being a SW?

I didnt say I dont like it but I am struggling with it at the moment and would like a career change

It's not the most family friendly profession. What area of social work do you work in? If in children's, how about looking at school based, or pastoral? A lot of social workers I know have worked shifts for the NSPCC on their helplines in the past (they almost universally hated it but it worked well with family commitments).

Have you thought about changing teams? LD team was fab.

A lot of academies are recruiting in house social workers which is less money but fits in well with family commitments

Im currently in referral and assessment

working with children

I know someone who worked with the NSPCC additionally he was bullied by his manager there.

Serendipity that doesn't surprise me about the NSPCC, have heard similar.

What about voluntary agencies?

Are you wanting to move away from social work completely, and retrain, or just get out of frontline?

I would really like to move away from frontline work as my work life balance is terrible and I am a single parent.

Yes, I changed career. I find social work hugely stressful for a number of reasons including poor supervision. I already had a speech therapy degree as well and I moved to this career after a 10 year break. Never regretted it. I wouldn't recommend social work to anyone.

I'm always looking for new jobs -I work with adults. Trouble is my current hours fit in well with family life and its unlikely I'd earn the same salary in anything else. I'm a single parent too so can't really afford a big drop.
Ideally I'd like to go into teaching (uni level) but don't know where to start and my local uni doesn't seem to have any jobs going.

I recently inherited a decent amount of money, I keep thinking this could give me the chance to do something else- but WHAT? ??

It is very stressful and it doesn't help with the intense dislike most people have for us. I really need to change course before i burn out. Thank you so much for your reply's so far

Well my hours are not family friendly and it is highly unlikely that I will ever inherit any money. I have no idea what to do.

Sorry I didn't mean to sound smug or anything. My dad died so I'm trying to make something positive from what he left me.

I know what you mean about burn out. I was off for a month over xmas with stress (mainly caused by a bullying manager). I've moved jobs now but its made me realise that although I'm in a good team I just don't really want to do the job.

I'm fed up of telling people they can't have support when I think they should have it. Performance targets (wtf?)
And the changes every 5mins made by senior managers who have no idea what the job actually involves.

Have you thought about teaching either Social work or health and social care or doing a PGCE if studying is an option. What about moving to a different specialism e.g adoption? If you want a complete change of career it might be worth thinking about what you really enjoy doing and what you're good at and see if there's something you can do related to that.

You can always go from sw to a counselling course. It is possible to find charitable funding for fees and do the course a day per week.

Thank you everyone you have given me a lot to think about xo

I would recommend changing to a different team, frontline is so draining after a while. Maybe consider a family centre, fostering or something based in a school? Alternativel,if you work for an LA and have any previous experience in another field, seek a different role in house. I know someone who went from front line to an office manager post and has never looked back.

Yanbu to ask but this is not an aibu question.

Dolly80 thank you so much, thats really got me thinking.

I would look at changing teams. They do really vary from each other. I used to be in a front line team and have moved into a different team. The hours are better and the stress is less.

I second the counselling or therapeutic route. I have just qualified as SWer but my long term goal is to be a psychotherapist. I'm only 25 so I have time.

Obviously you know far more about SW that me but you are obviously in the most stressful SW environment. Would you consider another sector?

Thank you, you have all given me a lot to think about.

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I came across it and was hoping someone may be able to offer me some advice. I gave up my role as a social worker working in the adult social care sector when I had my daughter 7 years ago. I don't wish to return to social work, but with both my children now at school I am interested in returning to work or retraining. I am particularly interested in counselling, please could anyone advise me of the best routes into this in terms of retraining and employment? Many thanks in advance.