Should I apply for this job?

[ItsCloudyToday]

I need some advice about work and have bullet pointed this to keep it clear and succinct.

I work as a Band 3 in the NHS
Band 4 jobs do not come up very often in my service
One has come up working in a brand new project
My role is very flexible and community based, so I can attend events at school, pick the kids up every day, pop to the doctors, and etc… and make up the time elsewhere.
This new job is an unknown in a slightly different area so very likely not to be the same and there’s nobody to ask about it as nobody has ever done it
I am at the top of Band 3 and the difference between this and the bottom of Band 4 is negligible and I would have to work for 3 years before reaching a progression point
I need to apply in the next couple of days if I’m going to do it

I do want to progress but life (childcare, age, partner’s job are all barriers at the moment) and I’m not sure losing flexibility with primary aged kids is worth 50p more per hour for the next 3 years.

What would you do?

I’d apply asap before it closes (a lot are closing early currently) then you can ask/find out those details if you get asked to interview.

It’s an internal post so it’s just an expression of interest needed and my head of service doesn’t know much more as it’s going to be a complete different section with its own head of service. It’s completely brand new.

You need to think of the practicalities. If this job is a strict 9-5 in the office, for example, how are you going to manage school pickups? How are you going to manage doctors appointments? I'm not saying don't go for it, I'm saying actually sit down and work out how you would practically make it work.

Does your partner have any flexibility in his job to pick up the slack? Can your parents help out?

Taking this job may make life trickier now, but it's an investment for your future. If these jobs came up a few times a year, I'd say wait. But sounds like this is a rare opportunity?

And it also sounds like your partner's job is one of the things restricting your choice here - is it his turn to take a bit of a career hit to keep the family functioning?

If your application is simply an "expression of interest" I would apply and then see what the T&C are and whether they will work for your present lifestyle. If you turn it down it may make you appear that you are not interested in promotion. However if this role does not work for you but a similar one might when the kids are older you would not want to find yourself out of the running because you failed to show an interest earlier.

The practicalities will be very hard/impossible really. I have nobody else to do school runs, not even in emergencies really. My working hours are short at the moment and I can’t really commit to any more so it would depend on what was on offer. Paying for clubs would wipe out potential pay rise and are not guaranteed at my DCs school anyway.

Unfortunately there’s no leeway for my partner as he works 2 jobs (one night job and one self employed in the afternoons) and brings in the majority of our household income.

I don’t think it’s practical really but keep mulling it over again and again.

It sounds like it's not really viable for you now. Explain this to the head of your team, that you would be interested/keen but not practical currently. When the kids are older you'll have much more flexibility.

Yeah it’s tricky. To be fair, my department are very understanding and there would be no pressure/repercussions in not applying. It just that these jobs very rarely come up and that nobody has any experience of it yet to seek advice. My oldest will be starting secondary next year and the youngest still has a few years to go so I feel like I’m still needed at home more.

Apply. Interview, find out the facts. Decide when offered

Don't bother. You know it's not practical right now. Don't underestimate how valuable the flexibility is in your current position.

I would show interest as suggested by @butidid . It sounds as if you are better staying with the flexible role. There would be many who are dreaming of that sort of job.

I think I’ve decided not to apply. I’ve worked out that it would only be £25 extra per month and the potential of losing my flexibility isn’t worth that while the children are still young.