To take a job way below my qualifications

[Tittletatt]

I’m a social worker and left my job recently as I couldn’t cope with the stress, bullying, office politics and ridiculous workload. This was only my experience in this team and I’ve worked for years without a problem in other areas.
I am looking for part time work only. I do not want to work full time. I missed my son terribly when I worked full time and felt I missed out on too much. Financially I don’t need to work full time so I see it as pointless.
Working full time has its advantages in that I could get a mortgage but while my son is young this isn’t my priority but something to consider in a few years.
The problem is I cannot find a part time social worker position in my area or a commutable distance away. They’re all full time for some reason.
I have applied for a form F assessor role which is very flexible and part time but if I don’t get that I will have to accept that I cannot afford not to take something else.
My friends think I’m insane to consider going from a salary of 36k a year to around £8000 a year for the sake of two extra days a week but working three days a week is so very different to working 5.

AIBU? Has anyone done something similar for a better work life balance?

I don't think you're being unreasonable. You have to do what is right for you and your family. Social Work is a very demanding and stressful role and it can have a detrimental affect on our wellbeing and work/life balance, which in turn can affect our families. If this is the right thing for you, then I think you know what you need to do. All the best.

What about locum work? Or as social worker within the NHS- more amenable to part time?

Posted too soon. No it’s not unreasonable, and you can always go back to full time in future if you wanted.

Yep, I'm doing it! I have education based qualifications ( both teaching and non-teaching roles), but I work in an admin role in a school. The pay is crap, but I have all the school holidays, and the same school times as the DC. It is frustrating sometimes because I am more qualified than my line manager, and she doesn't always know what she's talking about 😁, but it's an easy life!

Take a full time post then ask to reduce your hours after you’ve been working there for a year.