All I've ever been is a social worker, can I move into the private sector and earn more?

[Canthinkofaname79]

Just that really. I've been a social worker for almost 20 years, been a manager too. Just fed up with the crap money when I'm aware of other in public sector who earn a lot more than me. Is it ever possible to make that move or would I start on a lower salary? What do private employers think about those coming from public sector? Feel like I made the wrong career choice all those years ago!
I have thought about becoming an agency social worker to earn more but unsure about the risks.

Sorry that should say others in private sector who earn more.

I totally get where you're coming from here - I worked in social work admin for a while and my husband was a social work manager. It nearly finished him - I was worried he would have a breakdown but he was nearer the end of his career and was able to take early retirement. As you will be very well aware, there's a massive shortage of social workers (for obvious reasons). Have you thought about the voluntary sector? e.g. those companies administering direct payments often prefer to have a qualified social worker on board. Obviously it depends whether you're children and families or adult social care. I would seriously consider becoming an agency social worker - at least it will be a lot more money. We sympathise OP, public servants are not valued and unfortunately social workers seem to be at the bottom, with heaps of worrying responsibility for very little reward. Just remember, you have very transferable skills - what about approaching a reputable recruitment consultant for ideas?

Have a look at the Guardian jobs on Wednesday, I am surprised how much charities pay for qualified staff.

Thank you thats good ideas. I've only ever worked in children and families. What sort of charities would be good to approach? I've worked so hard and about to change jobs and taking a pay cut of about 7 grand cos I made a move this year that I regret so changing again. I just feel quite resentful!!

I work in the IT industry. I've worked with former social workers, former teachers and in fact people from every walk of life who have changed profession. Some have had to retrain, while others haven't. So no you are not to old to find another role in the private sector.

Now the thing you have to work out is - what do you want to do? Do you want to stay in the same area? Do you want to work in a different area? Do you need to do any training? If so this part of Mumsnet would be more helpful - www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

(Incidentally I use to know a couple of agency social workers. The job still sounds like crap.)

Oh yes the job is still crap but the pay is double, just no pension, holiday or sick pay.
I'm not sure what I want to do. Open to suggestions !

It is hard to compare private and public sector pay. The salary is higher in the private sector, but the pension tends to be worse. Sick pay, flexibility and holiday tend to be worse in the private sector, but it depends enormously on what you do.

That is all very good points. I just have no clue what sort of role I could look for or have the skills for?

Do social workers get final salary pensions? If so read the scheme rules. Twice.

I say this as somebody whose pension fund has not thrived recently (so might need to rethink my retirement).

I moved from public sector to private, but was much lower level than you so somewhat easier. I also decided I would just go for pay and hours that meant I could fit other things around, so didn't matter what I did.

I think you need to think of an area any area and see if you can get some work experience so you can hear from people already in the job before you start to retrain. Take your time. Ask friends and family what they thought you might be good at if you hadn't gone for social work.

Yes I do get a final salary pension. I've got 17 years continuous service.

Get yourself PAMs or CUBAS trained and just work independently on assessments (if you like court work, I do although not ready to go back to ISW work at the moment so am still doing generic public proceedings and all the other CP and CIC stuff thrown in)

It'll be another nail in the coffin of your LA though I would assume

I've never actually done any court work. I've always worked in fostering and adoption. I am wondering about trying to get as much training as I can from the LA and then looking at going independent.

Ok you definitely need to get doing some front line stuff for at least a few years, fostering and adoption is where we go to retire!!

Training wont suffice, you need to be on the ground.

On the other hand of course there are fostering agencies (ripping the life out of LAs) if you want to work for IFAs?

I'm way too old to be doing front line now. Although I've been offered an agency job in children with disabilities does that count as front line.
Plenty of youngsters doing adoption and fostering now!

IFAs aren't really what I want to do.

I used to do ISW assessments for agencies but not sure I would want to work for them to be honest, I know what you mean

It depends how your CWDTs are set up, do they do proceedings and court work, do they do CP?

Or are you looking to move from SW completely? In which case theres no point looking for different experiences, just hold on in there until you re train

Ive done court work for years and am PAMs trained and I used to be an ISW assessor for a number of different authorities so I see that as my possibility as Im not sure how much longer I can go on doing this.

And you're right, too many youngsters going into fostering and adoption when they havent really got the front line experience, its because its too easy to get burned out. I dont know whats to become of services in the coming years. Its frightening.

Yes they do do all of that. Do you mind if I pm you?