To ask if it's possible to climb the career ladder whilst still doing the school runs?

[blueberry1976]

Hi all I am looking for any advice or experience to the above.

Looking to progress through the NHS and I'm currently a band 4 . I work part time due to childcare reasons and working hours fit perfectly around school. I am growing stagnant in my current role because it suits the family and while i appreciate how lucky I am I would love a more challenging career.

I would love to climb the career ladder but without compromising my time with the children. So, is it possible to build a success career whilst maintaining the school pick ups? Does anyone work in a particular sector that promotes this? Or am I just going to have to accept that whilst DC are young this is better for the family.

I do this. Work are pretty flexible though. I've climbed from the bottom of the team to the top in 4 years.

Yes, NHS is very flexible now and if you’re good at your job you should have no issues. I went from band 2 to 8b while raising kids and doing school runs. Progressed further to 8c offer but in the end declined the promotion due to work life balance.
Working around kids was never an issue and when people questioned my flexi working I jumped to another department. See yourself as an asset and if work is not flexible it should be their loss.
remember that nhs is desperate for staff.

Thank you both for your reply, I often see positions available but they are always full time posts and I never feel confident enough to apply and ask for flexible working .

Also @QueenCoconut can I ask what hours you worked whilst you were a band 8? Eg 9-3 , 9-5?

Yes. You'll probably find work is more flexible as you get up the pay scales too. Find a job and climb that ladder!

I worked school hours as an 8a

@Blipeuy love your username btw! Did you always work school hours or did you have to work full time for a small amount of time and then reduce to suit your family?

@Blipeuy

Whilst I'm pleased to hear your experience is the opposite, I have found the NHS to be more inflexible as you move up the bands. The expectation of 7/8a/8b in clinical areas is full time only.

Are you clinical or non clinical?

It was flexible to be fair with self managed diary, both in office and WFH roles. I didn’t have to do shifts though as I’m not clinical. There were some meetings early in the morning or late in the afternoon occasionally and it would be up to me to sort the diary, childcare or send a deputy. I had some days when it was stressful but no more than in lower band roles when it comes to managing childcare/ pick ups. I would say senior roles allow more flexibility in that respect. My strong advice is apply and assume flexible working from the day you attend the interview. It’s meant to be the default contract unless there is a clear reason against it.