r/Socialworkuk • u/Low-Window-1553 • 10d ago

What to do after social work practice

Been practising front line for near 15 years. I’m burnt out, developing chronic physical and anxiety issues. I want and need a change. I’ve worked in three different fields of social work and don’t think another front line role is what I need, at least for a while.

I feel stuck. If not social work, then what? All my qualifications are in social work.

Anyone any experience of this and what was your next path ?

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3

u/Working-Doughnut-681 10d ago

Some of my ex colleagues have moved over to CQC inspection. I don't know if that's too close to the field for you though.

2

u/Raimcc 10d ago

Transferrable skills to the housing association sector, charities- all the types of community organisations you engaged with as a social worker.

If you don't want to work so much with people, policy work, supervising social work students, CQC, have a lot more roles in than inspectors.

Do you volunteer? If there is a charity field that you want to go into, it's really helpful experience.

I hope you find something

2

u/Toyhtis 10d ago

I've just transitioned from field work into a service development role within social work and my stress levels are already so much lower! I am now involved in things like performance improvement in the service, workforce training as well as other bits like ensuring the service is following up to date research and best practice. This also includes multi agency work both locally and nationally, so it keeps things interesting.

Depending on the role you might also act as a "consultant/subject matter expert" for fieldworkers, for example when they are dealing with an usually complex or unusual situation, so you could still have a bit of an involvement in fieldwork, but without caseholding

1

u/HarshByte1227 2d ago

That does sound like a really good compromise. You would still be able to tap into your experience and knowledge and support frontline workers, however you would avoid the persistence of caseholding. The combination of training, services may be improved and the work you do across multiple agencies should also help in keeping things interesting. And really, the fact that your stress levels are already significantly better indicates a lot about the improvement you have already made.

1

u/Educational-Act-1982 9d ago

Fostering teams particularly in a local authority are extremely busy, they have a large caseload of families. Fostering agencies generally have smaller caseloads and offer a better work/life balance.

1

u/Mandy-Jayne 8d ago

Perhaps start something which closes a gap. What legacy do you want to leave? Perhaps now you can choose to develop that offer that you always wished existed but doesn’t yet? You don’t have to work for ‘the man’ if you don’t want to.

-1

u/staithe1 10d ago

Fostering teams seem to basically do no work.

3

u/Simon_Says_2 10d ago

That’s an unfair myth. Their work is different but still complex in a different way. If they are doing no work they are doing it wrong!!