NC for this.
I have been a SEN caseworker for 3 years but moved to another LA 6 months ago. I moved to take on more responsibility and because I felt I was getting a bit ‘stale’ in my current job and everyone more senior were settled so no prospect of moving up the ladder soon. I felt I really ‘smashed’ the job. Had great relationships with schools, great relationships with parents (some of whom actually wrote to me and send cards to my office when I left!). I loved my job so much and felt so much job satisfaction. I feel I made a real, tangible difference to the lives of children and parents.
I have moved to another LA and it is hell on earth. I am genuinely sick with stress already. The problems are just huge and most just simply are not resolvable, no matter how hard I try. Today alone I have come across 3 huge (and I mean HUGE) safeguarding concerns plus 2 emails of long term issues in schools. And every day is like today, some days worse. I get in excess of 80 emails per day, mainly needing actioning and can’t be deleted or shelved. I’m crying in the mornings before work, during my lunch break and struggle to relax in the evening. I just feel constantly anxious. I always thought I was really resilient, yet only 6 months in all I can think of is hiding from the parents and schools every day and I am struggling with feeling like a failure too. I know the tools of how to do the job, and how to do the job well, but it’s such a mess that I just cannot unpick it. I have expressed how hard I am finding the job and have been told my caseload will be cut in the new year, but I just don’t feel it is enough. The size of the caseload is only 1 problem - it doesn’t change the fundamental issues this LA are facing.
I just don’t know if I am being unreasonable to leave a job after starting so recently? I am angry at myself for wanting to throw in the towel so soon.