AIBU to not consider this sideways step secondment (NHS)

[Tractorroot]

I had an interview for the manager role of my specialty with a different NHS Trust yesterday. They let me know today that I didn't get the job but they would like to offer me a 1 year secondment to essentially the equivalent band 7 role that I am doing now but for their Trust.
It was pitched as a good opportunity to explore how another Trust works and broaden my experience in the field.

Honestly, I'm not that interested. I never once thought they would actually offer me the job, I knew I'm not ready for that step but I wanted to just see which areas I needed to focus on to maybe get ready over the next few years. So I was never thinking I would actually leave my current job which I really love and would be sad to leave.

The only thing is my current Trust are in special measures whereas this new Trust has an Outstanding rating so it would be interesting to experience working for a Trust at the opposite end of the current struggles we're in the middle of. And if it was a permanent position I probably would be interested but I don't think a secondment is right for me. My job is about relationship building and being visible accross my Trust and I worry that a year out would negatively impact how well I can do my job. I would also like to consider having a second baby next year and a secondment will likely make that more complex and overall, I'm just very happy with where I am.
My manager has said she will approve the secondment if that is what I want but I think I might just say thank you, I am genuinely flattered, but no thank you.
Am I being foolish to not consider this opportunity? Is it more valuable than I am giving it credit for?

Can you have a secondment to a different trust? My trust doesn't allow that, so you'd have to resign and go on a temp contract which would put me off especially with the maternity aspect

I would be happy to move to a higher rated trust if it wasn't temporary

I'd thank them for the interest, stay put and have your baby.

I think they've offered you that because you've gone for another role, so they're trying to keep you interested / not leave / give you other opportunities.

But if you're happy, then stay where you are!

Probably the main difference between both organisations is how they promote themselves. Stay with the Trust on the improvement journey and experience that growth, you will probably learn more.
It sounds like the other organisation is trying it in a bit.

Sounds like a crap opportunity unless you hate your current manager. I can see why they’d be cheeky and ask, but they are being cheeky especially when it isn’t a permanent position.

Stay where you are.

I was in this position and took the secondment. I learnt so much more and ended up working permanently in the seconded trust and started when i was 12 weeks pregnant. As long as you have continuous nhs service you still get your nhs mat pay. Only difference for me, as i had to go back to the old trust to work me notice so had to restart at seconded trust, was i got mat allowance not smp. It worked out the same though.
Having worked in different trusts i would say do it. You’ll be amazed at what you learn. If its a secondment, if you hate it its only a year out. Better than a permanent move that you hate.

Sounds like a waste of everyone's time. You say you never wanted the job anyway, you don't want to leave where you are, you love it and you'd be sad

So I'm unsure why you went for it tbh if you're years off wanting to do it.

Re the secondment - just say no

I would take it - new things almost always lead to new opportunities. A year out of your current role really won't make much difference in the long run if you go back to it. People are away for a year for all sorts of reasons all the time. So, on balance I'd go for the secondment. But only if you will still get maternity pay.

In my experience these 'you didnt get that, but we have this' opportunities can be roles unrecognisable to that which you originally applied. I'd say only consider it if you're confident your current manager would have you back early (should the seconded role not suit).

@SuperDup3r I didn't say I never wanted the job I applied for, I said I never thought they would actually offer me the job. Had they offered it I would have taken it I just knew that that wasn't likely. There's nothing wrong with applying for the experience itself; I learned a lot from attending the interview.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. A mixed bag. I do think I'm going to decline. Personally it's not the right thing for me I feel but I suppose I just wanted to consider if this was a really good opportunity I was overlooking but that doesn't seem to be all that apparent so I can just do what I want without feeling too guilty that I've passed some amazing opportunity.
Thanks