UPS SEN teacher can career change to...

[HenriettaTurkey]

...any ideas?

I've done this for a decade...and I think that's enough. The stress and the way we are regarded is just too much for me now.

I'm not arty or creative; but I'm good at filling in paperwork.

Used to be a PA - but no formal qualifications for that.

Have a BA and PGCE.

What would you do??

I'm ups too and looking for a way out. I currently do my husbands small business bookkeeping. I'm studying for my bookkeeping qualifications to do that freelance.

Advisory work (maybe SEN field)? LA SEN admin?

I'm in the same situation: UPS SENCO. I'm in no real hurry to leave because I am in a school with great staff and a supportive Head, but it is hard, hard work and getting harder. I am horrified at the changes that are being made to the SEN system (I consider them to be a huge backward step) so have leaving on my mind. I have only come up with fostering so far because I really like working with children.

Teacher of the Deaf? Would need extra training, and there aren't as many jobs as there used to be, but I think it'd be better on a stress/working conditions basis.

I'm in a similar position - SEN UPS. I'm seriously considering applying for a Support Staff post I've seen. It's a much,much lower salary but might mean I would get my life back if I got it. At the moment I seem to either be working or be feeling stressed and guilty that I'm not working. Can't win!

Guess this sort of change depends if a reduction in salary is do-able for you though?

My job sharer was also ups and Senco and she left last year to work as a tutor to children who can't/won't attend school. She works direct for the council and loves it. She says the money and work can be sporadic though.

Well it seems there are a few of us in the same situation. Sadly a paycut isn't really an option as DH is sahd.

I agree that things appear to be going backwards. It's pretty depressing.

I wonder how you get into SEN advisory work?

It's a nightmare and I'm struggling with the same thoughts. It is so hard to work in a system where our budgets have been slashed so much.

I retrained a few years ago as a specialist teacher and assessor for dyslexia. I have a thriving part time business assessing and also lecture in the subject at university.

Maybe lecturing in education as a visiting lecturer?

Btw, currently I'm pushing on, as I love the job, the children and the colleagues. It is really hard working up against such difficult conditions that have been imposed on us and trying to deliver high quality support.

I was thinking on training as a dyslexia assessor, how have the found it? Is there plenty of work? Is the salary comparable with that of an MPS teacher. What was the training course like?

The training should be rigorous and you will need ongoing training - there are many subtleties to diagnosis. I find the work fascinating. I have plenty of work, but I do fit my assessment around my teaching and lecturing.

As part of your training, you can train to be a specialist teacher, which will also give you another skill - you can tutor.

www.open.ac.uk/education-and-languages/main/study/postgraduate/masters-education

For example. You will need to do course E801 the year prior to this.

Many other providers are available.

Thank you Bramble

I'm an advisory teacher for Looked After Children- I absolutely love my job.

What I mean is, I'd heartily recommend it, not trying to be smug

That sounds interesting, tethers, what does it involve and how did you end up there!

I'm an SEN teacher at top of UPS and also having similar thoughts. I work with students with SEBD and am thinking of doing a psych conversion degree and an Ed PSych PHD (which can be fully funded), but am terrified at the thought of going back to uni as it's been a while.
Also toying with the idea of setting up my own not for profit organisation working with young people with SEBD going through the transition from school to college/work/FE and giving them tools to deal with situations that might be challenging and thier own behviours.
I really like working with young people in an SEN environment, the SMT at my school are horrendous, they have no idea and are running everyone and everything into the ground and I need to step back from the stress of it. I also want to see more of my DC.

Just seen this, Henrietta, sorry- I was HoD in a PRU before getting this job four years ago. Feel free to PM me with any questions

Lots of SENCOs are going up onto SLT (eg as Assistant Head)- from there as long as you are good at whole-school impact you can go into Dep Head or Headteacher.

...and now Vince Cable has said teachers know nothing about the world of work. Every party has now attacked us.

I've got to get out of education

SALT, Specialist teaching team, Ed Pysch?

Another teacher here, looking to get into an advisory role. Have pm'd you, tethersend- hope you don't mind!

I would suggest looking at training to be an EdPsych or SALT. But if money will not allow, how about private tutoring for children on the Autistic spectrum, dyslexia, dyscalculia etc as well as subject tutoring. This is what I'm toying with.

Or looking for a role involving teaching children who are currently out of school?

Whatever you do, do not go into mainstream.