Careers working with children

[Claire926]

I am at a crossroads and don't know what I want to do.

Years ago I thought about doing PGCE in Food Tech but then was told they don't teach it at A level anymore so there would be less lessons to teach. They also got rid of the food technology technicians who would maintain the equipment, wash the tea towels and order ingredients with the many other tasks they had to do. The teacher does this now with planning, teaching, marking, meetings etc. I have also been told PGCE year is a nightmare and you have no social life and it is draining.

In my previous career I burnt out and ended up taking over a year to properly recover. I really don't know if I could do the same teaching again.

I have been doing a Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification for the past 18 months and have nearly finished. I am a very caring person and the children respond well to me. Yet, I still don't know if I want to do this. On the Teaching Assistant groups they complain about the pay being low and dissatisfaction in the job. I wish the pay was better but have seen it can vary between different councils.

I would quite like to work with SEN children or 1-1 support. The school hours would suit my personal life and the good holiday would help me rest.

What careers would best suit me? I have no idea what there is out there besides teaching, teaching assistant and SEN.

Thanks.

I am in a similar position OP. I have wanted to become a teacher for a very long time but the idea of working nearly 60 hours per week plus assignments in the pgce year does make me shudder. I have 4 children ranging from 1-10 though.

I have also always wanted to work in a children's home. Maybe this is something you could consider? Some of them offer generous holiday and they are obviously much smaller than schools. What makes things difficult for me with this idea though is all the sleep ins and working Christmas ect.

There are also other roles in schools such as pastoral roles but these don't tend to pay that well. So I guess it depends how much salary is a factor?

There also maybe jobs in childrens services at your local council. These will probably pay some where in the 20000s. They will likely require family support, travelling to homes ect?

Or jobs with childrens charitys. There are lots of opportunities for 1:1 and family support ect but the pay is often close to minimum wage.

Anyway, these are all things I have considered. Perhaps they might be helpful.

Thank you for taking the time to suggest all of these other options. I have thought about these over the years but it is good to see them written down as you do forget what is available to you.

Yeah, I hear horror stories about the PGCE and teaching. I had burn out before and won't go down that road again.

I hope you work out what you would like to do too.

No worries.

Yes, I have been burnt out before too and it is no way to live. We are here for such a short time.

I guess it's just figuring out what are the most important aspects of a job and what downsides can be accepted. After so much deliberation I don't think there is a perfect option.

Perhaps just keep an eye out for jobs, apply for ones that you like and see where they take you.

Thanks, I am coming to a bit of a crossroads at the moment. Good luck to you too.