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Original poster

Advice needed. Secure job or job that I want to do

32 replies

PotHeadedPixie · 01/02/2021 21:56

Hi all, I could do with some advice over a head or heart decision

I currently work for the civil service, decent wage, flexible working and it's as secure as a job can be. There's great benefits to the job, a decent pension, ongoing training and fantastic sick/maternity leave. I enjoy the job a lot, I never dread waking up and dealing with the day, I'm good at my job and once I'm clocked out I don't think about my work until the next day.

But I've seen a job for a support worker for adults with additional needs in my village. The pay is a significant reduction to what I get now, there's no indication that the job is secure and there's really no room for progression. Yet I feel like this is what I'm supposed to do, I think I'd be great at it and would give me the job satisfaction that I'm missing now.

I have two children (5 and 3) so need to consider that with the 4 days on 4 days off working pattern I wouldn't see them very often, but then on the other hand I'd then have 3 days without work so I can focus solely on my girls. I'm so torn. My partner will support me either way, he's a great father and person and he's also a civil servant so has all the benefits I mentioned above.

I guess I'm asking for anyone's experiences, good or bad, from those that took a risky job. Even as I type this I think I've made my decision yet tomorrow I'll question it!

OP posts:
Levithecat · 03/02/2021 21:32

Gosh it’s hard to answer. What is it that you think this role will offer that you don’t get currently? When you say job satisfaction what would satisfy you? If you can afford to live on your DH wage and he supports you then why not try? Easy enough to get back in the CS, maybe when your kids are older. But there are also plenty of CS jobs that provide huge satisfaction and make a real world difference. My risky move was joining the CS!

wendyleen · 03/02/2021 21:49

Ooh, who is the employer for the new job?

Chimeraforce · 03/02/2021 21:53

I work for the civil service and detest it. I stay for the money only.... And it's just 12.5k annual part time. The stress is actually making me ill and I've started drinking to try and blot it out.
If you're lucky enough to enjoy it along with the obvious perks, then stay.
The flexibility is invaluable with young children and who knows what may happen with the other job.

Oblomov21 · 03/02/2021 22:07

Tricky. I would have given different advice pre covid. Things have nieces changed.
But if this is what you really want to do.......

Respectabitch · 03/02/2021 22:11

Do you have experience as a support worker, or a very similar job?

I don't think anyone else can make a decision like this for you. Only you can review the factors and what you value more. It sounds like you've made your decision - and I do think we regret chances not taken more generally. But if you've not actually done the job before/yet, I'd be concerned you're romanticising it.

Bunchup · 03/02/2021 22:15

I enjoy the job a lot, I never dread waking up and dealing with the day, I'm good at my job and once I'm clocked out I don't think about my work until the next day.

Stay where you are. You have already won the jackpot in the lottery of work. Please don't throw it away for a job you know nothing about.

Stationfork · 03/02/2021 22:17

Your current job sounds like what most people only dream of and never get!

ragged · 03/02/2021 22:18

It reads like you have a bit of saviour complex, OP. Prove I'm wrong.

parietal · 03/02/2021 22:22

have you worked as a support worker before? It can be gruelling and underappreciated. And there are not many long-term prospects for advancement.

if you haven't, then stick with your current job. But look for opportunities to volunteer in the support sector. your current work might even give you days off for volunteering. That might give you the job satisfaction, and also a chance to find out if this really is what you want to do.

Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 03/02/2021 22:59

@Chimeraforce

I work for the civil service and detest it. I stay for the money only.... And it's just 12.5k annual part time. The stress is actually making me ill and I've started drinking to try and blot it out. If you're lucky enough to enjoy it along with the obvious perks, then stay. The flexibility is invaluable with young children and who knows what may happen with the other job.
I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time with the CS, is there any chance you can get a sideways move to a different area of the CS?

It's so hit and miss with the CS, I've heard some horror stories so I appreciate how lucky I am

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Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 03/02/2021 23:01

@Respectabitch

Do you have experience as a support worker, or a very similar job?

I don't think anyone else can make a decision like this for you. Only you can review the factors and what you value more. It sounds like you've made your decision - and I do think we regret chances not taken more generally. But if you've not actually done the job before/yet, I'd be concerned you're romanticising it.

Not directly no and I agree with the worry about me romanticising the job, I am a dreamer and can sometimes have my blinkers on!
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Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 03/02/2021 23:02

@Stationfork

Your current job sounds like what most people only dream of and never get!
I know I'm incredibly lucky with where I am right now, I think I need to appreciate what I've already got
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Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 03/02/2021 23:05

@parietal

have you worked as a support worker before? It can be gruelling and underappreciated. And there are not many long-term prospects for advancement.

if you haven't, then stick with your current job. But look for opportunities to volunteer in the support sector. your current work might even give you days off for volunteering. That might give you the job satisfaction, and also a chance to find out if this really is what you want to do.

Thanks for the advice. I do actually get 3 days a year to use for volunteering, so I'll definitely look into that to get a better idea of whether support work is right for me and if I'm right for it
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Msfoxy17 · 03/02/2021 23:05

I agree with @parietal - think should try to get a feel for the work before making any big decisions. I imagine it's quite tricky atm with Covid but could at least talk to people doing the role?
Quite a big risk to leave a job that has so many plus points. Bear in mind later down the line you will be glad for that pension etc..

Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 03/02/2021 23:06

@ragged

It reads like you have a bit of saviour complex, OP. Prove I'm wrong.
I think you need to read better
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radioband · 03/02/2021 23:08

I’m a support worker and have been for the last 13 years with teenagers and homeless people. I currently work for a charity, it’s not a bad place to work and the pay is good in comparison to private companies. I strongly advise you to have a serious think, if it’s a private company they usually pay poorly and will have a high staff turnover. Staff will be overworked and underpaid and the job can be very thankless. You might have your set hours but they’ll often need cover. I’d really do your research on the company and find out all you can before jumping ship because it sounds like you’ve got the perfect job whilst having young children. Support work is easy to get into because the staff turnover is high. If you really want to do it wait until they’re older or look into a charity as they usually treat their staff better. I’m lucky where I am but it hasn’t always been the case. Good luck whatever you decide.

justanothermamma · 04/02/2021 00:20

This is a tricky one!
To me the current job would appeal more - it depends on your age and your lifestyle, if you're wanting kids etc. then stick with it until then? My current job only offers stat mat pay and honestly, it's hard. If you're not planning on having more kids that 'benefit' is pointless.

If you feel that this other role would give you more job satisfaction and you could manage financially with the changes then go for it!
I used to work in a similar role and it was the most rewarding job I ever had - but I had to leave as financially I couldn't manage with it (it breaks my heart).

If you have support from your partner and you can manage financially, go for it! I'm sure you'll have the option to go back to being a CS if it doesn't work out. X

ragged · 04/02/2021 08:19

what does "supposed to do" mean?

Jocasta2018 · 04/02/2021 08:37

With two small children, I would stay in the civil service - more stability & a safer prospect, especially in Covid times.
You can't rely on a DP or even DH to stick around & a decent financial background will set you up for the future.

Oblomov21 · 04/02/2021 08:53

I've reconsidered my advice. I don't know how to say this politely! So as not to offend people doing the job.

You are mad! Special needs support workers is a hard hard job. Very low paid. Even lower respected and treated badly which is a disgrace, considering what a hard job it is.
2 people I know deal with SN kids in school. They quit after years, recently, just couldn't take it anymore.
Likewise one person does adults. The nhs restrictions, the admin, the lack of money, what was expected of them. Treated like some lowly paid skivvy. Mentally draining. She still loves it. Like it's a calling, she was born to be a nurse, type.

I think you are mad!

Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 04/02/2021 21:18

Thank you @radioband for your honest insight. It would be working for a charity but after looking through the Glassdoor reviews it does seem like there's a high staff turnover due to lack of support from management, long hours and a overall negative experience from a lot of workers

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Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 04/02/2021 21:23

@justanothermamma I do appreciate my current job, the pension, death in service benefit etc yet I know how rewarding being a support worker would be. Right now I could afford to be a support worker but when my girls get older things will probably change, I've heard teenage girls are expensive!

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Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 04/02/2021 21:24

@jocasta2018 yes that's something to consider. Although I'm in a solid relationship right now things can change and I need to make sure I'm comfortable enough to support myself and have a decent pension when needed

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daisypond · 04/02/2021 21:27

Stay where you are. And do some voluntary work.

Original poster
PotHeadedPixie · 04/02/2021 21:28

@oblomov21 now that's the reply I needed, straight to the point. I appreciate it a lot. If my friend was asking what I am, I'd also tell her that she's mad to consider it.

I've definitely had a wake up call with the answers here which was much needed

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