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Original poster

To think jobs like this MUST exist??

66 replies

TherapySquirrel · 23/09/2023 09:13

I work with children and teens with MH issues, mostly trauma related. Over the years I've worked in various settings, schools, hospitals etc. I have two DC of my own with SEND, one has just started school and that has brought lots of challenges. I also have elderly DP's and PIL's who are increasingly needing support. I used to love my work, I'm good at it, but if I'm honest I've always found it stressful. I could cope in the days when I was able to come home and actually rest but now, well I suppose if I'd known I was going to end up with two kids who would need so much support I probably would've chosen a less emotionally draining, 'peopley' line of work.

Something has to give. I feel completely burnt out. I'm lying awake in the early hours dreading going into work, and I don't want to do anything or see anyone because it takes every ounce of energy I have to get through the working day without crying in front of anyone.

DH works FT and earns well, he has suggested I need to look for a more low stress job, something I can just leave at work and not think about. I've moved from job to job, worked in different organisations but in this kind of sector the levels of stress are all the same.

I want a job where I can work from home, if not all the time most of the time. Something part time, it doesn't have to be school hours but FT just isn't doable with the DC's needs. Ideally I need to earn £20k a year or thereabouts. I've been looking and coming up against a brick wall. Even low paid PT jobs seem to want specific training or experience that I don't have, I have a degree but because my work experience is quite niche I feel like I'm trapped in my current sector. I was talking to a friend and she said what I'm looking for doesn't exist basically, is she right?

I feel so hopeless right now.

OP posts:
hooplahoop · 23/09/2023 11:44

So many of the NHS talking therapies services are now undertaken remotely - or look into Their partners IESO or Xyla .

CyberCritical · 23/09/2023 11:45

The jobs that you are finding, the ones that say you need a degree, are you still applying for them? You really do not have to be a 100% fit for the role, if you meet 50% of the requirements and think you can do it then apply.

Rewrite your CV to show what skills and experience you do have that is relevant to the Job description and requirements and send it in.

Often the qualification requirements are there because someone thinks they need to have something in that section, or because it's always been on the JD before and they don't want to be the one who changes it.

Jellybott · 23/09/2023 11:49

Most local authority jobs are now home based Flexi time, and many are part time/job share. You could try something business support related (so admin based) for either social services or education/SEN teams

BatildaB · 23/09/2023 11:53

Could you offer training/coaching for parents of teens with the kind of issues that you work with? Could be something you deliver online and is peopely but in a less intense way than doing direct work but makes good use of your expertise.

CyberCritical · 23/09/2023 11:55

"Policy work would definitely interest me and I think I'd be good at it, but all the jobs I've seen ask for someone with proven experience in policy. It seems It's really hard to break in to."

Do you adhere to Policies now?
Do you use policies to make decisions?
Have you ever given feedback on or fed into a working group developing policies?
Do you understand what policies are for and how to check that policies are being used correctly?
Do you know how to create a policy? Would you be able to engage with the people who would be using it to understand what can be written and delivered on?

If you were asked in an interview how you would go about the process of reviewing a policy to ensure it was still relevant, met industry standards, is understandable and can cope with future developments over the next 12 months, could you answer that question?

Everyone has to have their first job in a new area at some point, they get that by taking their existing skills and experience and thinking about how those can be related to similar skills and experience in the new area.

Angrycat2768 · 23/09/2023 11:58

What about looking at teaching or TA with adult education providers? You could look into teaching others, either into a career in MH or you working with adults with LD. It is very flexible ( you could choose your hours) most places will pay for you to undertake training while working. It's not work or stress free and the pay can be variable, but you can more or less choose your hours.

fairydust11 · 23/09/2023 12:40

TherapySquirrel · 23/09/2023 09:13

I work with children and teens with MH issues, mostly trauma related. Over the years I've worked in various settings, schools, hospitals etc. I have two DC of my own with SEND, one has just started school and that has brought lots of challenges. I also have elderly DP's and PIL's who are increasingly needing support. I used to love my work, I'm good at it, but if I'm honest I've always found it stressful. I could cope in the days when I was able to come home and actually rest but now, well I suppose if I'd known I was going to end up with two kids who would need so much support I probably would've chosen a less emotionally draining, 'peopley' line of work.

Something has to give. I feel completely burnt out. I'm lying awake in the early hours dreading going into work, and I don't want to do anything or see anyone because it takes every ounce of energy I have to get through the working day without crying in front of anyone.

DH works FT and earns well, he has suggested I need to look for a more low stress job, something I can just leave at work and not think about. I've moved from job to job, worked in different organisations but in this kind of sector the levels of stress are all the same.

I want a job where I can work from home, if not all the time most of the time. Something part time, it doesn't have to be school hours but FT just isn't doable with the DC's needs. Ideally I need to earn £20k a year or thereabouts. I've been looking and coming up against a brick wall. Even low paid PT jobs seem to want specific training or experience that I don't have, I have a degree but because my work experience is quite niche I feel like I'm trapped in my current sector. I was talking to a friend and she said what I'm looking for doesn't exist basically, is she right?

I feel so hopeless right now.

Haven’t read the whole thread, but have you looked on the guardian jobs website? You can search for home working & part time. They usually have plenty of roles. Good luck.

Tribevibes · 23/09/2023 12:46

@TherapySquirrel

Yes I hear you. I really need to get out of schools. I’m institutionalised.

Spinet · 23/09/2023 12:50

I feel like you might need to think like a man and just apply for stuff you don't have some of the requirements for. Getting experienced at being knocked back is good for you too - it takes the sting off honestly.

Where do you live?

Spinet · 23/09/2023 13:03

And maybe university work would suit you. Certainly mental health expertise is in high demand. Have a look on jobs.ac.uk - you can filter away the teaching jobs and look for student support type stuff. The work itself is not going to be less intense than in a school but as it's likely to be more portfolio based and a bigger work community it may feel less intense an environment.

WeightoftheWorld · 23/09/2023 13:08

Im assuming you meant £20k as the FTE, if not ignore my suggestion here. There are quite a few jobs in NHS and local authorities that are mostly admin that are hybrid working and the FTE is over £20k. I work in a band 3 admin job for a GP practice 2 days a week, one of which is from home (since I passed my probation).

ClaraBourne · 23/09/2023 13:17

Look at a virtual PA role on workingmums.Co.uk.

Alison has tons snd tons of free courses if you need to update your skills,

SundayCherry · 23/09/2023 13:17

@TherapySquirrel My mum works as a university admin assistant permanently from home 3 days a week and earns 22,000 for that. You do need a degree though (not sure why as it’s just administration) but that might be an option?

ErnestCelendine · 23/09/2023 13:19

Work from home hub om Facebook posts jobs that would fit this.

Bellyblueboy · 23/09/2023 17:19

They aren’t exactly nice to look at and they can hum.

why can’t they acces the roof from the front of the house?

Ponderence · 24/09/2023 10:34

Social care for local authority? Might be some more office based/ policy based roles? Your experience would be great x

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