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Original poster

Should I go back to Front Line Social Work?

27 replies

DezBoro · 21/12/2024 20:54

Hi all

I am relatively new to MN. I joined to ask some educational questions as we have been living in the Middle East for the past couple of years (due to our husband's job). We are returning to the UK, to Surrey where I grew up. I worked as a front-line CP social worker for over 15 years. I left and have been working in a school in ME as a school counsellor/wellbeing person. Since I posted on the educational board, I have now secured a job as a Safeguarding Lead for an independent girls' school near our home in the South East. It comes with the offer of a full bursary for my daughter to attend the school till 6th form ends (she is year 9 at the moment). This will start in August 2025.

However, I am wondering, after all the news about safeguarding in the UK, if I should return to frontline. I am a very experienced social worker; I always challenged difficult parents and had the reputation of taking on the hardest to manage families. I had some good results with kids. I feel guilty that I am going to a job that will benefit my daughter but my skills will be wasted. Does that make sense? What I am trying to ask is should I give up the safeguarding role, put my daughter in the local school (where I attended!) and go back to child protection work?

OP posts:
Berga · 21/12/2024 21:10

I don't think you should. Safeguarding is still using your skills and there is no reason why you can't return to front line social work in 4-5 years when your DD has finished sixth form.

You're not going to fix all the news about safeguarding in the UK even if you did go back to it.

Janedoe82 · 21/12/2024 21:13

Are you mad!
Take the nice job. I have just had three weeks of hell dealing with difficult families and you know what- they will still be difficult in ten years time! You aren’t a hero who is going to swoop in and fix them.

InkHeart2024 · 21/12/2024 21:17

We need experienced and skilled social workers in frontline social work so if you want to then yes! But if you don't want to, you don't owe anyone your time.

Original poster
DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:18

Janedoe82 · 21/12/2024 21:13

Are you mad!
Take the nice job. I have just had three weeks of hell dealing with difficult families and you know what- they will still be difficult in ten years time! You aren’t a hero who is going to swoop in and fix them.

Thanks, jane. I genuinely feel guilty, though.....

OP posts:
alwayslearning789 · 21/12/2024 21:20

Your skills will not be wasted.

And what an opportunity that you have created for your daughter.

Take it and Best Wishes.

Janedoe82 · 21/12/2024 21:20

DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:18

Thanks, jane. I genuinely feel guilty, though.....

Show quote history

Oh I absolutely get it. My personal guilt is not bringing kids home with me as not enough foster carers- BUT Your own child is the priority and you can go back to it!
Or take on some bank shifts in childrens homes.

Original poster
DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:23

Thanks, it is an opportunity isn't it.

OP posts:
Janedoe82 · 21/12/2024 21:24

DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:23

Thanks, it is an opportunity isn't it.

Private school would be mad to turn down in my opinion.

Allthebestfood · 21/12/2024 21:28

Do you have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility?

Original poster
DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:30

Allthebestfood · 21/12/2024 21:28

Do you have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility?

What do you mean? Most social workers have a sense of responsibility; it's part of the psyche.

OP posts:
Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/12/2024 21:39

Could you periodically do out of hours shifts for the local council and go back when your dc has finished school?

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/12/2024 21:40

Daughter has amazing opportunity and you keep your hand in.

Original poster
DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:41

Yes good idea. I could do EDT maybe once a month as a bank worker!

OP posts:
Wallacewhite · 21/12/2024 21:42

I have nearly 20 years in the sector, in various statutory and non statutory roles including senior leadership - in your shoes I would absolutely stick with the safeguarding job for two reasons:

A) The child protection failures being experienced here are systemic failures influenced by 14 years of austerity. I have seen some truly exceptional social workers caught up in serious incidents through no fault of their own. You sound like a highly esteemed colleague, but sadly you don't have a magic wand.

B) I think you'll be surprised at the level of complexity you'll be managing in a school setting. Thresholds have gone up and up, so things that would historically have been at CiN or possibly even low level CP you'll now be lucky to get through the door of Children's Services at all. I imagine your skills will be very much in demand - independent schools can be rife with online harm, affluent neglect, self-harm, substance misuse, eating disorders etc and you'll be able to have a real impact with these kids.

Best of luck, whatever you decide!

Original poster
DezBoro · 21/12/2024 21:45

Wallacewhite · 21/12/2024 21:42

I have nearly 20 years in the sector, in various statutory and non statutory roles including senior leadership - in your shoes I would absolutely stick with the safeguarding job for two reasons:

A) The child protection failures being experienced here are systemic failures influenced by 14 years of austerity. I have seen some truly exceptional social workers caught up in serious incidents through no fault of their own. You sound like a highly esteemed colleague, but sadly you don't have a magic wand.

B) I think you'll be surprised at the level of complexity you'll be managing in a school setting. Thresholds have gone up and up, so things that would historically have been at CiN or possibly even low level CP you'll now be lucky to get through the door of Children's Services at all. I imagine your skills will be very much in demand - independent schools can be rife with online harm, affluent neglect, self-harm, substance misuse, eating disorders etc and you'll be able to have a real impact with these kids.

Best of luck, whatever you decide!

Thanks. Their current DSL doesn't have an S/G background, and she has been covering the school I am going to as well as leading strategically over 3 schools (I think), which are part of a trust. She said the same to me.

OP posts:
OnlyMothersInTheBuilding · 21/12/2024 21:47

I think there's a time in your life when it might be right for you to return to frontline child protection, but this isn't it. This is the time to put yourself and your daughter first, it sounds like a great opportunity for her and it's probably better for you to have a less full on job whilst she is still navigating adolescence. It'll be a few short years until she's spread her wings and you can review at that point.

Allthebestfood · 21/12/2024 21:58

@DezBoro I meant that it sounded like you felt responsible for the extensive safeguarding needs in the UK. Perhaps that you felt you ought to get stuck into the "harder" option - frontline social work? ( I don't know if it's harder than the job you've been offered or not. Just that it is hard).

I do understand the sense of responsibility- I work in the NHS. But I have learned that I am only one, limited human being who can't solve everything.

I think it's ok to choose what's beneficial to you and your daughter at this time.

DragonsFurry · 21/12/2024 22:05

It's just 4 years. Your DD has gcses and alevels coming up - she's going to need you to be present. Definitely go back to social work but wait until she's finished school.

Original poster
DezBoro · 21/12/2024 22:29

Thank you for all your thoughtful comments.

OP posts:
leia24 · 21/12/2024 22:36

I'm an iro. Don't do it. You won't save the profession, you won't even make a small dent, and it's fucking horrendous out thefe

tearsandtiaras · 21/12/2024 22:36

Im a CP social worker on the frontline in London. If you want go back do it, I don't get a lot of the comments above, my DD is 15 and in year 10, i put her first whilst managing my career. Why would a full time school job be any different

Lots of anti social work bias on this thread i don't recognise in real life

Janedoe82 · 21/12/2024 22:40

Anti social work bias or reality?

leia24 · 21/12/2024 22:41

tearsandtiaras · 21/12/2024 22:36

Im a CP social worker on the frontline in London. If you want go back do it, I don't get a lot of the comments above, my DD is 15 and in year 10, i put her first whilst managing my career. Why would a full time school job be any different

Lots of anti social work bias on this thread i don't recognise in real life

Haven't seen any anti social work bias, just recognition that irs really really rough on the front line now, much worse than 10 years ago, and if someone's in a position to not need to return, then don't.
Also it doesn't appear your daughters school place funding is based on your job

VelvetWildflower · 21/12/2024 22:46

Are you mad? Not a chance. Take the lovely job and education for your daughter.

okydokethen · 21/12/2024 23:24

Fellow cp social worker here.
You've got to do what is best for you as a family, new job offer sounds amazing! Personally I would take it.

But from my experience you might find education dull. I did safeguarding work for a lovely college, diverse cohort, different issues but the work is different to front line work - I got a bit bored and I've left and am really struggling to find my place. I think front line with young children is very hard to manage but is the role I've always been most passionate about.