Over 50's former TA's - What job role are you in now?

UsingChangeofName · 23/01/2023 23:39

It might be the algorithms of my Facebook feed, but I see jobs advertised by charities (Sense / National Autistic Society / MENCAP / etc) that would probably suit your skillset.

bloodywhitecat · 24/01/2023 00:07

Foster carer to children with complex needs (but it is no less demanding)

Recursion2Recursion4 · 26/01/2023 01:38

I've seen lots of jobs advertised for visiting elderly people who live in their own homes, but this does not involve personal care.

JRsTornadoOfLove · 26/01/2023 01:39

Teach online.
Cambly is good if you don't have a degree.

xfan · 26/01/2023 12:51

The poster wants a change from SEN roles, and most suggestions still involve work with SEN client in some direct capacity. Not helpful.

TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong · 26/01/2023 12:54

Watching with interest as 50 year old TA myself and contemplating giving notice also. No idea what to do next... have considered admin/ retail and even pondering the odd business idea...

NotAnotherBathBomb · 26/01/2023 12:57

xfan · 26/01/2023 12:51

The poster wants a change from SEN roles, and most suggestions still involve work with SEN client in some direct capacity. Not helpful.

Especially the foster one?! 'You're exhausted from looking after them in the school day, bring them home with you instead!'

Tooposhtowash · 26/01/2023 13:08

I am 50. I was a TA for a few months could not stand the politics and the pay was dire. I am a driving instructor now and I charge £50.00 for 1 hour and set my own diary and work part time. I have passive income of 20k per year though so being self employed is not as much as a risk for me. However, most full time driving instructors turn over more than 50k a year and profit is maybe 35k to 40k. It’s not for everyone and highly regulated by the DVSA but it’s rewarding 🚗

Tooposhtowash · 26/01/2023 13:11

Just to add there is a demand for driving instructors who have the skills to work with students who need accommodations made for not being NT. Intensive courses you can charge more I’ve even seen driving instructors charging upto £100.00 for 1 hour for a 10 hour intensive course shirt notice 👍

kerkyra · 26/01/2023 13:11

I used to be a TA ten years ago and now self employed as a cleaner. I also have an after school nanny job once or twice a week on an adhoc basis and charge £20 an hour for this as I sort of fit in with her,she txts me the eves she needs and they are never the same.
Less stressful than being a TA but not sure I can clean well into my 50s as I have a bad back already at 51. Not sure what I will do.

otherwayup · 26/01/2023 13:22

I left education aged 52, and was an overworked, underpaid ta for 30 years!

I'm now a family support worker, working for my local councils early help team. It's an amazing job, pay is the same as my previous job but I only work 2.5 days and I also can wfh if I prefer and it doesn't clash with meetings or visits.
My team are supportive, friendly and considerably less stressed than my former colleagues and the councils proactive approach to staff wellbeing has blown my mind!!

I've not looked back op, despite how much I loved being part of a school.

thisismynewface · 26/01/2023 17:06

otherwayup · 26/01/2023 13:22

I left education aged 52, and was an overworked, underpaid ta for 30 years!

I'm now a family support worker, working for my local councils early help team. It's an amazing job, pay is the same as my previous job but I only work 2.5 days and I also can wfh if I prefer and it doesn't clash with meetings or visits.
My team are supportive, friendly and considerably less stressed than my former colleagues and the councils proactive approach to staff wellbeing has blown my mind!!

I've not looked back op, despite how much I loved being part of a school.

@otherwayup that sounds a great job! Do you have a social work degree or similar?

(It sounds like something right up my street - but I don't have any formal training in that area - I have a degree but not remotely relevant)

Original poster

Runaround50 · 26/01/2023 17:26

Thanks all, much appreciated.

In going to try and get the ball rolling by looking at some suitable job adverts this weekend. I do like my job in the main, BUT I'm getting tired and frustrated with it at the same time and I just think it would suit maybe more younger faster paced people better.

It's very poor pay and no number of lovely polite kids, compensated for that really.

@otherwayup your job sounds great! I'm really struggling with 5 days a week right now to be honest.

Thanks again everyone.

OP posts:

Bluebellbike · 26/01/2023 17:51

I was a TA working with SEN children. Prior to that I was a childminder (27 years) and a nursery nurse. When I was 58 I resigned as a TA and became a Support Worker for adults with learning disabilities in supported housing. Pay not great unless you do sleep shifts but the job satisfaction is wonderful. I wish I had done it years earlier.

otherwayup · 26/01/2023 21:15

@Runaround50 @thisismynewface
No social work qualifications at all!
Quite a few on my team are ex teaching assistants & nursery nurses etc we've all got nneb or level 3 childcare type qualifications.

Have a look on your local council job pages, the job would be in the social care section. I'm a family support worker but there is a similar job called a child development worker which is very much like my role and we all work on the same team.
I'm happy to answer any other questions!

otherwayup · 26/01/2023 21:18

I also sit down for the vast majority of my working day, in a warm cosy office (or my living room!)
After 30 years of early years work, working in all kinds of hideous weather, mostly sat on the floor, grass or a tiny chair, I can't quite believe my luck!!

MissyB1 · 26/01/2023 21:45

I’m 54, I do some supply TA work but also do invigilating at local senior schools. Pay is still crap though.

UsingChangeofName · 26/01/2023 22:06

xfan · 26/01/2023 12:51

The poster wants a change from SEN roles, and most suggestions still involve work with SEN client in some direct capacity. Not helpful.

No need to be so snippy.

The OP actually said "I think I've had enough of the fast pace of SEN school life." which is completely different from not wanting anything to do with SEN in her next job.

Original poster

Runaround50 · 27/01/2023 17:18

Thanks again all.
Think part of the issue is, that I am
becoming tired. I'm a good 10 years older than many colleagues and really feel the energy is lacking.

Not had a bad week really, maybe it's just that school life is so bloody exhausting!

OP posts:

shewhomustbeEbayed · 19/02/2023 09:35

My friend is 57 and an ex TA, she is now working P/T as a dental receptionist.
The TA work suited her when her own kids were at school but now they are older her husband resented them only being able to have holidays during school holidays.

Megmargs · 19/02/2023 09:52

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but where would I look to find a “regular” job? I’ve only ever worked in education where vacancies are advertised on a particular site, how does somebody browse jobs that aren’t in education to get an idea of what’s out there?

Silvergone · 19/02/2023 09:57

Megmargs · 19/02/2023 09:52

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but where would I look to find a “regular” job? I’ve only ever worked in education where vacancies are advertised on a particular site, how does somebody browse jobs that aren’t in education to get an idea of what’s out there?

Try uk.indeed.com/

loads of stuff on there

also guardian jobs

DorritLittle · 19/02/2023 10:01

Have a look at jobs in the children's services or education departments of a council. There are always jobs. Good work life balance and good pension.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 19/02/2023 10:07

I do admin work for a charity. Loved working with the children (I was a special support assistant to a pupil with SEN in mainstream) but the internal school politics were awful 😞

PatagonianCoal · 21/02/2023 07:44

tutoring?