Can't hold down a job. Very low.

[Effed]

Please be gentle with me, I am very tender and am seriously considering how black/bleak my future looks.

I had a head injury inc brain bleed 18 months ago.

I've been a teacher for years.

I had to leave my job because I couldn't be off sick forever & when I tried to go back, my employer put me on capability. My union argued it, to no avail.

I was devastated.

I have been working at temporary jobs since, but nothing sticks.
Today I have a letter from my latest temporary job, saying that they are reviewing my probation. It's not looking good for me.

I'm feeling very low, thinking is difficult since my head injury. I feel really frustrated with myself, but I can't make myself well, or make my mind think properly.

What the heck do I do for a job now?
I'm clearly not up to Teaching any more.

To reiterate, I am devastated.

Have you had an OH assessment and any recommended adjustments ?

@LIZS no and no.

My school pressured me to return to work. To be clear, I'd had a fractured skull.

As soon as I was back on to my job I was put onto capability.

My union argued against this, but ultimately, the academy trust said that I wouldn't be able to teach. They can do whatever they like.
Even though I could teach, I needed a little support to ensure I wasn't exhausted as exhaustion makes me dizzy and liable to fall. The academy didn't know this, only that I needed to work reduced hours.

The academy trust ignored all requests for OT/OH assessment.
As soon as I was back, they got rid of me.

Btw. I was requesting reduced pay for my reduced hours.

I'm looking for a new job, preferably online.

If I wasn't standing in a classroom, performing every day, I would be able to work full time.

Remote/hybrid would be ideal/

Could you be a private tutor from home? Both my D.C. have had private tutoring at primary, and then DD during the sixth form too for biology. You could work your preferred hours, and from home sitting down.

Absolutely @TerfIngOnTheBeach, the only problem is that tutoring is often after school and there is only so much time in the evenings/weekends. So only so much money to be made.

Reflecting, my students think I'm great, they all really like me.

It's my colleagues. This is the second time that I have started a job and been put on capability, although I can't be sure if that's what is happening now.

I'm reflecting on my behaviour and experience, I have toed the line, been kind, accommodating. Being honest with myself, I really don't know what I've done wrong.

Since my accident I'm worried that I am weird, odd, I don't know. I find it difficult to concentrate on computer screens, especially for extended periods.

I'm not taking breaks from my screen or taking my lunches because I have been trying to get all of my work done.

I get blinding headaches, which only makes things worse. I have worked so hard to cover up what is effectively a disability - but I don't want to admit that I have a disability, for fear that in itself would be reason to sack me.

My immediate boss is clearly ambitious. Everyone is a stepping stone to her next promotion, I suspect that a different line manager would be more understanding. I couldn't talk to her about this, for fear that it would reflect badly on me. I did mention that I have a hospital specialist.

I feel lost, that I am always letting my husband down, though he is a great about it all.

I'm a good teacher, that's not in doubt, the kind who advocates for my students, But those aren't the kind of teachers that institutions want anymore.

My GP signed me off immediately today and I have a hospital appointment next week. When I am put under stress, as I have been now, I lose my balance and I am effectively a danger to myself.

What kind of life is? I feet destroyed.

This should absolutely be a grievance..please speak to your union!

Very sorry to hear this OP. Since your injury seems to be permanent I'd seek advice on how to apply for PIP etc. it might not be what you want to hear right now but at least it's some money coming in. Then you can think of being a tutor like a PP said it above. It might not be full time but if you build up your clients it can pay well enough. You also can teach Saturdays and Sundays. My friend's husband only teaches online and she works part time, they have a nice enough life. Good luck 🤞🏼

@Mammyloveswine my union were involved from the start, they argued my case and went over and above.

As I say though, ultimately academy trusts can and do take any action they like.

I would leave teaching, as much as that saddens me. Unfortunately, I'm stuck. Employers see my CV and think I'm just a teacher. I was a HOD and assistant head.

As for transferable skills, I have plenty, but employers don't seem to see that.

Thank you.
Boy do I need luck.

I applied for PIP, but was turned down. On the one hand I seem incredibly capable, well turned out, up together. It is the definition of an invisible disability.

OP there is a way forwards. Head injuries can, yes, be life changing but that doesn’t mean you have no use or worth, just that you need a different direction in order to thrive. Pp mentioned tutoring- whilst you are right that many students will be in school and therefore hours may need to be focussed outside of the school day, many kids will not be in school for a myriad of reasons. Private sector also have much longer holidays and so more hours to pick up there. If you did 3x 5 evening hours per week and say 6 on a Saturday thats already nearly three days per week not taking into account some daytime hours.
Also, please consider looking into claiming PIP- that might support you a bit financially whilst you get back up and running xx

I know someone who tutors from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday only and all online over zoom. They have a mix of students (homeschooling, exam years, re-sits, boarding school pupils etc) and their fees are high! Look online for tutoring agencies and once you are established you go solo if you want. You can work as much or as little as you like and earn a good salary.

So sorry just saw you were declined PiP- did you ask for a mandatory reconsideration?

Can you get the retirement for health reasons pension? Speak to your union rep about this

Teaching is a meat grinder I'm so sorry you had to experience this treatment

What level do you teach? Could you be a tutor for somewhere like the Open University? I did my degree with them but I believe they also do GCSEs if that would be any good? I only met 2 out of 6 tutors in my time there, the other 4 were only available by telephone.

I have also heard of friends teaching English as a second language via zoom. I'm not sure how well it pays but may be an option worth looking into to supplement being a private tutor?

Was anyone at fault for your accident? I know personal injury cases get a bad reputation but that area exists to help people who have either temporary or permanent limiting conditions from accidents to help cover their losses. People with permanent injuries like yours tend to get big pay outs in the right circumstances. Might be worth considering if it is an option to ease the financial burden.

Lastly I hope you're doing OK. This is a big adjustment. There is normally a solution but it can be hard to find, especially when you're feeling low about having to give up the life you had before. I hope you find a solution and in the meantime I hope you can be kind to yourself and have faith things will improve.

@Effed appeal the decision if you're still in the timeframe for an appeal, otherwise apply it again. First time I applied it was denied and I gave up. A few years later my disability became progressively worse and I applied again, they denied again but I appealed this time and I won the appeal.

They decline the vast majority of claims because they know it's a soul destroying process and most people give up if their claim is declined. They do that just to put people off.

I've got a hidden disability too and you can't be too truthful or seem too jolly. What advisors always say is "think of your worst day and what you cannot do at all". Also, PIP is exactly for permanent disabilities like yours, without the prospect of getting any better, opposed to sick pay or employment support allowance (pretty sure they changed the names of those benefits but you get what I mean).

Please gather all the advice and documentation you need and apply again. Wishing you luck 🍀

You were treated appallingly by your employers, I am so sorry.

Going forward, I just wanted to suggest that there is a growing UK wide home Ed community and there are lots of tutoring opportunities within this field. There are also increasing numbers of internet based schools - Interhigh is the most established but there are loads of them now. This may provide additional options for flexi working or WFH.

Alternatively, I really hope that you can find a school that will value your skills and expertise.

So sorry to read what's happened to you op. I wouldn't Wright off private tutoring straight away. Home education is huge in the uk and there is a lack of good online tutor's. Then you would be self employed and could choose your own hours to work.

I home educate and we were on a waiting list for day Zoom classes.

Wishing you lots of luck for the future.

As a note we pay £300 per month for one hour of maths per week.

Have you had neuro rehab for your injury? Often there is a vocational rehab component of this pathway that can support with returning to work. If your current employer is not aware of your injuries, it would be worth discussing, even if difficult. This may open up possibilities around reasonable adjustment and changes

The accident happened in the home and, this is the kicker, we don't know how.

I did speak to a solicitor who said that they couldn't move forward with any claim, because I would effectively be sueing (is that the spelling) my husband and me.
Now, I did think 'but we have insurance, surely this is covered by that?'

The problem is that now I find it very difficult to concentrate on documents, particularly legal documents. Also, pre accident I was feisty, whereas now so many things go by and I just don't have the wherewithal to challenge them.

I'll try again with PIP, again, that's another thing that I just didn't have the wherewithal to challenge at the time.

Being honest, this is terrifying.
If I am stressed, I run the risk of falling over and being injured.
Since the original accident I have been hospitalised for burns because I blacked out while holding a pan of water.
And hospitalised twice more for injuries to my head and body.

It's a total party round my house, I can tell you.

There was a lot of wherewithal in that post, but hopefully you'll get my drift.

To compound things, I am in that bind whereby all companies say we are disability friendly but they aren't. In fact, the opposite is true. My experience is that companies will find any reason to say that you are not suitable for a role.

This goes double for formal educational institutions; schools, colleges etc.

When I had my original accident I was working for a relatively small education company.
After 8 months off of work (I had to learn to speak again) I handed in my notice, it seemed unfair not to...

I would love to tutor students, particularly online. Though I'm unsure how to break into that.

I've been a teacher for so long I teach: English, History, Geography, RS, Functional Skills Eng & Maths, SEND, ESOL. I have been a DSL and loads of other pastoral roles, an HOD etc, etc.

Unfortunately, if I want to break into another career my CV says teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher.
This has been an impediment when applying for other roles. Even though I have loads of transferable skills.

My ambitious boss, I don't resent her that. I was ambitious once too.
However, she doesn't want any weak links in her team and I, like it or not, represent a weak link.

@Effed what part of the country are you in? I've heard of a few roles in the South West

@firstbabyworries I'm in the South West. Where are you looking?
I've been all over the jobs boards today and can't find anything.