I need to make a change

[Choccyaddict4eva]

Hi all, I’m a primary school teacher. My heart isn’t fully in it any longer in all honesty, and I yearn to change careers. I’ve always been interested in speech and language therapy, however I don’t know where to start, and I’m worried about how I can make this change. I currently work full time, and I am also a single parent. All of the financial responsibilities for bills, my children, falls down to me. My children are of secondary school age. I’m worried about money most of all if I go back and study, I have no idea if I’m entitled to any funding? Can I study online alongside teaching? If anyone can direct me on how to go about taking those first steps, it would be greatly appreciated. I have a 1:1 BA in Early Childhood studies if this is of any relevance. TIA.

I’m not SLT but work with them.
Good place to start is [[https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/become-a-speech-and-language-therapist/career-changers/#section-1 SLT website]] You can train via 2yr postgrad

i will say prior to a career change into NHS try meet SLT and discuss realities of the role. Or at least someone in frontline .

Your working conditions will change eg not the same school holiday- how will you accommodate childcare,and factor in childcare costs. Most trusts have vouchers yiu can buy for childcare via salary sacrifice

NHS now is a tough environment. Satisfying but tough. However as a teacher you’ll be adept at managing demands and stress. Plus you’ll have all those transferable skills eg organisation,planning, skills working with children . It’s quite a complementary career change teaching to SLT

NHS training is demanding and hierarchical. To an extent it needs to be, to ordered. However once trained you’ll be in demand as there’s a shortage of SLT
Can you get an HCA or SLT assistant role to check it’s suitable career change

finances, you take out a student loan and get a small bursary.
you. You need to work out what you need to cover all essential plus a contingency fund.

there is a 2 Yr post grad which leads to registration with HCPC. You’ll have placement and uni. a courses]]

regards any career change just plan the financials and practicalities. Finally good luck