Anyone ever stayed in supply or long term supply for several years? Would you ever go back perm? Should I just keep taking on long term jobs?

[Se12345]

I don’t know what to do with my career. I resigned from a perm job last September and for past year did 3 long term and some short supply work. I don’t know if I should just stay this way. I’m primary based. Don’t like the fact off days and bank holidays are not paid.

I did supply for 3 years in long term roles, and then got tempted back. Now been back as permanent in a school for last couple of years. I like the holiday pay, sick pay, and a lot more money etc, but hate the pressure, the observations, the workload expectations, the lack of freedom, having to do everything I am told to do, working weekends and evenings.

The benefits of long term supply, are that the school knows could you walk out the next day. This puts you in a strong position. They can't hassle you, pressurise you, observe you too much, or they know you could walk, particularly if you are good. I enjoyed having that feeling of knowing I was in control and I enjoyed them buttering me up, to try to keep me. I enjoyed telling the agency and school that I needed the odd Friday off, and there was nothing they could do. I was far less stressed doing long term supply than I am now... but have a bit more money. It's certainly a dilemma. I am thinking the opposite, and wondering whether to go back to supply in September 🤔

Wow thank you that just reminded me of why I left a perm job in the first place. Maybe I just need to keep taking on long term roles.