Getting out of Social Work

[CurlyTop1980]

Hi all.

I have posted a few times about this and you've all been brilliant with advice.

I've been a social worker for very long time. In Child Protection and I would say I'm really good at my job ( as much as I can be). I've worked hard to keep kids at home and have never had a child remain in long term Foster Care. I now manage a very busy and super risky Adolescent Safeguarding Team managing some super awful stuff such as serious youth violence, county lines etc. I go in everyday and I give my best. But its like I have to put on an act just to get through the day. I pray everyday to not wake up to a teen completing a suicide or being stabbed and murdered. On top of all this, the government absolutely hates us social workers and are constantly changing the regulations and registrations and scape goating us all the time
The professional is losing good and experienced staff everyday. We worked though covid with barely any time off.

I really don't think I can go on like this. I also have no idea what else I can do Well paid but work well into 70 hours a week just to keep on top of the risks.

Would any other sector take on a social worker with 20 + years experience or are my skills.not transferable. I'm so confused. Part of my just thinks to give in my resignation and take some time to myself and then decide what to do. But I've worked full time all my life and never had any time off except for 6 months of mat leave for my twins.

Wwyd?

I think there are plenty of things you could do. You can talk to vulnerable people and professionals, work under pressure, write reports to a high standard and give evidence in court.

what about civil service investigations roles? Here’s a few:

=NCA role

Healthcare and government ombudsman caseworker

CCRC researcher

Have you thought about retraining as an OT or SaLT. Work your way up again but you have fab skills.

Or local council or charity jibs? Again a paycut but worth it for less stress?

Thanks. Ideally I wouldn't want to retrain. I've done 3 degrees during my career and every single year for the past 6 years I've nearly constantly had a student or a newly qualified social worker to educate and supervise I never considered civil service. I'll have a look.

I just feel so fed up.

Student support in higher education?The management roles in student wellbeing.pastoral centres usually pay well and the terms are usually decent eg annual leave, employee policies etc.

OP you will have amassed just sooo many transferable skills and are very employable in a range of sectors. If you use Facebook see if there is a group for life after social work / beyond social work. It will open your eyes to the huge number of opportunities out there to a highly skilled professional like yourself. I know my eyes were open when I stepped away from my similarly vocational healthcare profession.

Have you considered lecturing/research/consulting for digital firms / copywriting relevant websites and books to start?

are you thinking of taking a pay cut?

My LA has unqualified SW roles that would be really familiar work without the high responsibility?

Hey I wasnt a team manager like you but was a Senior Pract for 10 yrs, social worker all in all for 16. Worked with adults most recently Safeguarding Triage. Felt stuck for a very long time as didnt want to go into full management but also wasnt doing the face to face work anymore. Am currently retraining as an IAPT CBT therapist; you get paid to train, 1 year and then its Band 7 equivilant for NHS. So possibly a paycut for you but much less risk, will make use of your skills and really interesting! Plus im sure with your experience you could progress quickly. My one is for adults .but there are also posts for children. Its good to learn new skills and id the right move fo me. Good luck whatever you decide

Also I doubt you will need to take a pay cut… if anything you may have a huge increase if you stepped out of the public sector 😲

Commissioning?
Or perhaps try adult safeguarding - the skills are the same but the risks tend to be fewer.
Set up as a private consultant advising other organisations on safeguarding policies
Learning Disability Transition team
Civvy police job

Just seen you dont want to retrain! Good luck anyway x

The last job looks so interesting. Considerably lower then my current wage. But I do love a bit of investigating. I uncovered 3 county lines during lockdown....

What about looking at social housing providers? They do way more than just handle rent and repairs. Infact, I'd go as far as to say the rent and repairs side accounts for about 5%

Thanks so much! Great ideas.

I need to book some time off with and be able to look at these properly. I may consider retraining if needed.

What did you mean by copy writing?

Private Investigator?

Love that private Eye!!!

Have you considered teaching social care at college or social work at uni level?

In order to teach at uni I need to have a Practice Educator qualification. I started it but couldn't finish it as it was unmanageable with rhe day to day work. I really feel like I need to get out. I feel so anxious about today too. I can never sleep on a Sunday night.

Part of my thinks to just quit and be done with it
But so scared of not having a wage coming in.

Would a Social Work role in an institutional setting suit you better OP (eg psychiatric hospital)? I know it's still a very stressful job, but it comes without some of the issues you mention specific to community based roles.

I work for a charity as a Personal Wellbeing Advisor supporting ex-offenders (serving either a Custodial or Non-Custodial sentence). It might be something you would be interested in? The workload isn’t horrendous which suits me! Your skills would definitely be transferable…

Chris n dips. How did you find a.job like this?

I think I found it on Indeed but Google search NACRO and PACT who are both leading charities working in and out of prisons, supporting individuals to settle back in the community/re-connecting with family members, etc. The Guardian advertise a lot of these types of jobs, too.

Would you consider substance misuse? Or working with offenders? Both crying out for excellent professionals

Thanks all. Do you know if I need any further qualifications for SMU?

look Up jobs with Charities and agencies such as Barnardos , young people mental Health Charities etc.
if you enjoy the type of work in general you now so Think of your case load and think of all the different agencies that are involved with the young people/ families look them all up to see job prospects! You’d be surprised how well paid some now statutory roles are.