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Original poster

To leave after just a year in role?

20 replies

YellowRoses100 · 02/11/2023 07:21

I don't want to drip feed so I'll do bullets.

-started a role as a safeguarding lead in a school last year.
-Im a qualified Social Worker with 23 years experience in front line Child Protection
-manager is not a qualified teacher or Social worker. But has worked their way up to strategic safeguarding lead.
-manager has been covering my role when vacant and continues to do so.
-I am left doing basic admin tasks and not being allowed to take the lead on anything.
-I'm bored and manager is running around like a headless chicken continuing to do two full time roles.
-ive bought up my concerns at every monthly supervision which I have followed up in recored supervision notes.

Nothing is changing. I should leave shouldn't I?

OP posts:

DustyLee123 · 02/11/2023 07:24

Yes. Think of the good your experience could do elsewhere.

Exasperatednow · 02/11/2023 07:26

Yes unless your manager learns to delegate. If it doesn't change, when you leave please give an exit interview feedback stating why.

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 02/11/2023 07:29

Thanks. I like the school holidays. But yesterday all I did was draft an email to send to a parent which my manager had to QA......

OP posts:

ElleCapitaine · 02/11/2023 07:29

Before you leave, if you like the school, is it worth having a chat with the head teacher about your situation with a view to working with your line manager to redefine the roles? I can’t imagine for a second that the school would want to lose your experience or expertise, and nor would they want your manager to burn out. If you’ve nothing to lose, surely it’s worth the conversation at least.

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 02/11/2023 07:31

My manager Is a genuinely nice person. But they are really part of the fabric of the school . They are very highly regarded by the school leadership. I think approaching the HT/or head of school would go down like a lead balloon. They hang on everything she says.

OP posts:

Mackeroo · 02/11/2023 07:35

Yes, I'd look for something else, it's easy to start to become deskilled in situations like this. However nice and hardworking she is, she's a poor manager.

Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 02/11/2023 07:36

That's crazy, makes absolutely no sense to have your expertise and not utilise it. I would leave too and be clear in your exit interview why. I know they are part of the fabric of the school but if it is how you describe it's bananas and I would still be having that conversation. This is not in the best interests of the kids surely to not utilise you as a resource.

RudsyFarmer · 02/11/2023 07:38

I think most schools have the key member of staff that has been there since the dawn of time. I know exactly the dynamic you describe and yes you should be job hunting.

All2Well · 02/11/2023 07:40

Definitely leave, being bored and unused at work is an awful feeling.

Stresa22 · 02/11/2023 07:40

My most recent manager was like this. She didn’t even realise she was literally doing my work. I left after a difficult conversation where she denied it.

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 02/11/2023 07:47

Thanks. Things did slightly improve before the summer break whereby she seemed to step back. But since September it's back to me doing nothing. I'm always a side mention. Most staff don't know who I am.

OP posts:

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 02/11/2023 14:28

I've ruminate over your comments. I'm going to actively start looking for a new job. I'll tell her as well as I'm a pretty direct person (although respectful!) And just let her know that I don't believe there's a realistic role for me in the school.

Once I get a new job, I'll resign.

OP posts:

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 04/11/2023 18:17

Quick update..........

So I told my manager I wanted to leave and I will start to look at new jobs after the new year. I have 3 months notice to give, so if I secure a new job around Feb time with notice etc, I could be in a new job just after Easter. Anyway, she was really shocked. She said that she hadn't told me yet. But in the new year they want me to take on the whole safeguarding lead role in the school. With a pay rise, she will only do the strategic stuff. I was completely flabbergasted. She showed me an email from the board of governors and rhe head of school regarding this. Apparently HR was due to approach me with the proposal by the end of the month.

I am shocked.

OP posts:

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 04/11/2023 18:41

Interesting timing, I must say. You tell her you're underused and looking to leave and all of a sudden there's this shiny new role for you?

Wonderfulz · 04/11/2023 18:46

id stay and see what their new role is like. Hopefully more interesting

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 04/11/2023 22:55

Yep. I saw the emails, she shared these with me. They've gone back a few months. So it's not a new thing. The new legislation for schools is asking a lot of welfare and Safeguarding. It's quite a big trust & her SG strategic roles cover a few schools. So I think she's being told she has to take a step back and leave me to do it.

Let's see

OP posts:

Candleabra · 04/11/2023 23:17

she will only do the strategic stuff

How can you be effective if she is still leading the strategy? I’d be suspicious of the timing too.
I know the dynamic you mean, and I would l be very wary of her constantly swooping in to take over and undermining. I would cut your losses and leave whilst there is still a good relationship. A good line manager is essential to happiness at work.

Mackeroo · 05/11/2023 07:33

Given the email evidence, I'd stay and see how it pans out. It sounds like it will be better and if not, worst case scenario is that the increased pay and responsibility will look good on applications and may mean you are able to secure a better job than you would if you left now.

Slav80 · 05/11/2023 07:39

Will you still be reporting to her? It may be that she would resent you having that role and make it more challenging for you. I would stay as the promotion would look good on your CV but make sure you are not being micromanaged or undermined, and if this happens, then I would look elsewhere. Good luck.

Original poster

YellowRoses100 · 05/11/2023 08:22

I would be reporting to her and the Headteacher.

There are 6 schools in the Trust and all the Safeguarding Leads of all the schools report to her. She was only covering my role as the post was vacant.

We went to a safeguarding in education conference in Central London on September and there were her equivalents from smaller academy trusts and they were flabbergasted that she was still doing front line case work. So maybe this influenced her.

The strategic safeguarding leads from other trusts do the data gathering, write policy, complete reports to the board, etc, also does all the internet safety and monitoring and safety.Its not possible to continue as she is.

I am going to stay put. See what the new job offer is, the school is outstanding so if I need to move my kids in the future, staff kids get priority. Plus I get all the school holidays.

Wage is lower than what I had when I was a Childtens Services manager. But at least I don't have the stress.

OP posts:

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