To not bother progressing in my career?

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Ive been working for three years now as a Band 5 (entry level grade) Allied Health Professional in the NHS. A lot of my peers are now looking to apply for Band 6 posts, but I just don't feel its really for me and doubt it ever will be.
I came into this job older than most of my peers (41) and I have two school age kids, plus a husband who works long hours. Band 6 is a lot of responsibility - supervising students, less experienced team members, meetings, projects etc along with the usual caseload of patients which is stressful in itself.
When i told one of the other Band 5s on my team this, they were pretty surprised and said they'd never heard of anyone staying at my level for more than 5 years and asked if I would be worried about people talking about me as its unheard of.
Tbh im at the stage of life where the money I earn is more than enough, the mortgage will be paid in the next decade and I just want as stress-free a life as possible. DH is fully on board too. Is that really so weird?

If you are happy there's nothing wrong it. I work in the public sector (not NHS though) and feel the same - I earn enough and I don't want any more responsibility so I'm as high up (not very!) as I'm ever going to get!

As someone self employed Ive had a similar conversation about not wanting to expand the business and have the responsibility (and paperwork) of employing people. So I run a lifestyle business which suits me.

There is nothing wrong in feeling that youve reached your optimum level and dont want to take on more responsibility. If you are happy witht he salary and the work then what other people think is irrelevant.

Not everyone wants to rule the galaxy. We need good solid team players too.

I'm a solicitor who's never tried for partnership. We can't all be management. I'm happy as I am.

I joined the civil service 3 years ago (aged 46), I'm now one of the longest serving member of staff in our department. Every month my manager asks me about career progression, and every month I tell him I'm happy where I am! Not interested in the stress and hassle of applying for, and doing a higher grade role,

There's a lot to be said for being content with your lot. Constantly striving for bigger and better is draining.

There comes a time in life where ambition takes second place to work life balance - your situation honestly sounds ideal to me (as someone who has come to that time of life, but has only just taken on a mortgage...)

Do what makes you happy
I have progressed up in the NHS (AHP) I now occasionally think about going back to 5

Isn't that about £33k? It's a fair whack and if you're happy just stay there. You'll get your increments every year anyway. Like a pp said not everyone wants to be a manager and especially the kind of close supervisory management that a step up means for you, is not for everyone.

I got to band 7 then was done….then I retired and returned and took a band 6 job….im happy with my lot

I went to band 6 then 7 and have never known stress like it where it affected all areas of my life . Now I’ve stepped down and I’m so happy - don’t worry about others do you x

50 this yr, just took a 15k pay drop to stay at a level of doing a job.
Very happy, the stress has lifted i can have a holiday.

Thanks everyone, its good to know there are like minded people out there! It definitely raises a few eyebrows if I ever mention my plan to not progress. If it does pan out that way no doubt we'll have some jokes made at the retirement do 😂

I am similar but at the top of band 6 AHP. I retrained late in life, my salary is comfortable and I like my job. I sometimes contemplate a band 7 but the jump in salary equates to so little as I am top of band and the stress - no thanks!

So I will be staying put unless a very attractive promotion position becomes available!

I think you're unlikely to find your job intellectually satisfying forever at that grade. I've seen many nurses make this choice, and later became frustrated when having to take direction from less experienced nurses who they know they know better than.

Why not take it a year at a time? You don't have to decide for the rest of your career right now.

I agree with you. I am a teacher with no additional responsibilities. I am happy like that. Have been for 15 years and will be until I retire or change career again (or drop down dead!)

An ambitious 30-year old was just promoted to assistant head in our school. The poor sod has had to design an extra pointless time-consuming google form for us all to fill in. And he has to tell us with a straight face that "it shouldn't add to our workload".

He gets the shit admin to do, can't go down the pub with his workmates anymore and knows everyone will moaning behind his back.

Nah....so long as the pay provides for a comfortable enough life, I really think just stick at the lowest possible level. Middle management is crap.

This is one of the problems with the current (newish) workforce, they all expect/want a band 6 after such a short period of time.

In my area over the past few years, what we have seen is less of the b6/b7s being replaced when leaving and a b5 role coming out. I expect that to become NHS wide over the next few years. Nothing wrong with this in my opinion but the negative side to it is that b6 ‘roles’ will become part of the band 5 job description. I’m surprised you don’t supervise students/have side projects as a b5 for example.

Nothing wrong with wanting to stay as you are but just be mindful of the shift that you may see in years to come

Not sure if it’s applicable for your position so if it’s not just ignore me (American so different circumstances).

The only time I’ve seen people get butthurt is when they max out in the pay range and don’t qualify for raises anymore only ‘one time bonus’ in lieu. So while that may not be an immediate concern it could be in the future.

Otherwise have at it. I’m at a point where I’m happy to be bout out of cutthroat management and taking the first steps to retirement. So can understand the feeling.