u/Ki_Ki_88

So I started my job in June and felt early on this was not the role for me. I’ve tried to persevere and whenever I spoken to others for advice, most have said to give it at least 6 months. However over the last 2-3 weeks it is impacting my health. I’m experiencing anxiety, restless nights and palpitations in my chest. I dread going to work and Sundays are next level difficult. I have been to the gp who thinks I have moderate depression and recommended talking therapy. However, I’m still struggling day to day and know I can’t stand this job and whatever point I do hand my notice in, I have a 2 month notice period I have to work. I’m applying for jobs more aligned to me but I’m currently in a battle of do I just quit now knowing I still have to try and work until October but there will be an end point for recovery or do I follow the advice of getting to 6 months before handing in my notice at the risk of my health getting worse?

I’ve been working in children’s safeguarding since 2009 but took a break from frontline as once I had my kids, I felt like I wasn’t a present parent. I’ve spent 4 years supporting families in a school. A similar less stressful role that gave me school holidays with the kids. It didn’t feel like it was meeting my need though and so I have recently gone back to safeguarding….only 6 weeks in and I regret my decision. I’m often working overtime to catch up, feels anxious about my to list, felling less available to my kids.
The dream… to just quit now. I know I don’t want to do this.
The reality… to quit after 6 weeks won’t look good to a new employer so I’d like to try and stick it out for 6 months

Any tips or advice on how to keep going in a job you really dread and don’t want to be at??

Intrigued to know whether anybody has left social work and started a new career doing something in a different field? If so what are you doing now?

I’ve been a social worker for 15 years, always with children but did take 4 years out working in a school. I’ve recently come back to social work and really not enjoying it. Something I have realised is I love working with adults (in order to makes changes for their children). I’ve been thinking for a while about transitioning to adult social work. Has anybody do this and can share their experience of:

1. Learning the legislation relevant to adults
2. All social work is stressful but is there better work life balance?
3. Is the stress more manageable than the stress in children’s?
   Just as a disclaimer, I don’t expect adults to be easier than children’s but just wondering if it’s more manageable.