Thinking Of Working In Children’s Home

[Dave20]

Hi everyone, my names Dave ( ok name changed) and I’m an occasional Mumsnet lurker. My first thread and post.
So I’m currently furloughed as my job as a truck driver. Been doing the job about 5 years and now looking for a new challenge.
I think being furloughed has made me look for pastures new and maybe now this has really given me the chance to do something different.
Anyway was looking at job opportunities and saw a saw a job working at a children’s home. It’s a residential job, obviously working with young children. Working in social care is something I never considered before. But now I’m genuinely interested in this. It sounds a cliche, but I’d like to make a different and be a role model.
I’ve never worked with children before, I was briefly a police officer for about 2 years but left shortly after probation. Basically the job wasn’t for me, dealing with society’s nasty side, plus it was at the start of the cut backs and the job was genuinely dangerous. Left nine years ago.
DW doesn’t really think it’s for me, although she supports me. She thinks I’m too laid back and an easy touch... admittedly I’m very easy going and it takes a lot to get me annoyed about things. I have two kids, a seven year old and a two year old.
So that’s me really, a 42 year old father of two thinking of working in a kids home. Am I mad for considering it? Is it more of a females job? ( Apologies, not meaning to be sexist). Has anyone worked in one and if so did you enjoy it?
Appreciate any advice.

[EvilOnion]

It's challenging but absolutely worth it when you see kids thriving and progressing 🙂

Positive male role models are often the most popular team members because they often bring a new dynamic to the job and make a difference to kids who (a lot of the time) don't have any other men to look up to.

You could always look at joining a relief pool of workers and pick up a few shifts to find your feet and see how you get on rather than committing to a long term permanent position. Lots of people start out this way!

It's worth noting that if you do stick with it you will be expected to (assuming it's the same throughout the UK) complete a disclosure, register as a worker and work towards relevant qualifications - NVQ and HNC level - if you don't have these already but you get 3-5 years to obtain these.

[Dave20]

Thanks Evilonion- Only thing is, whatever I do, I need a full time job as I have a family to support. Can’t really do anything casual or part time as such.
Whilst the job does look like a good opportunity , I also need a liveable starting wage, again to support a family.
I’ve read the reviews on indeed from employees from the company and must say they were rather mixed.