I've been employed as an agency support worker for the last 6 months, averaging between 20-40 hours per week with a social care agency. It's been in the area of physical disability/learning disability, although much of the work has involved the client's learning disabilities and behavioural challenges.
It's mentally draining work for numerous reasons and I feel my sanity being utterly beaten with a big stick for alot of the time. I guess I fell into this area of work in June this year, when my preferred area to work in would be in the homelessness sector, something involving this and aspects of mental health and alcohol and substance misuse...however I was offered a job and I took it because I needed the job and I needed the money, and still do!
However, I'm not getting enough hours in my current job (which is entirely 1-2-1 work, preferably a new job would involve working in more of a team/office environment, one not as lonely as my current situation). I want to find work in the aforementioned areas...
Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could look? Online, newspapers, anything at all...
Although my current role is worthwhile and it is a job, it's draining the hell out of me and I need a new job!
Any help would be much appreciated.
Not entirely sure. I'm assuming that many of these job areas would be via 'third sector' / independent providers / charities, and I don't think there is one sole place where they advertise. Keep checking what's in community care jobs section, of course.
Also Guardian wednesday 'society' section always used to have social care jobs in, don't know if it still does. Your local or regional papers may carry adverts from the sort of organisations I described. Also check out the 'children and young people now' website, that has a good jobs section. The Big Issue sometimes carries social care sector job ads. Good luck.
I read the Guardian daily and there are very few jobs advertised in the society section now, and very few that are relevant to my own needs! The Society section was once a pull-out section, now it's integrated into the main newspaper, with seemingly far fewer pages of content to it. Sign of the economic times to be honest.
If anyone else has any suggestions/recommendations, including job agencies they can recommend, please do let me know. If you're not happy broadcasting the name of the organisation, feel free to pop me a private message on here.
I'm now registering with some new organisations - that painstaking process of completing numerous different application/registration forms, providing employment histories and getting references. Pain in the bum but it's needing to be done!
have a good xmas, folks.
Volunteering for any local charities that work with the homeless may be a way of getting your foot in the door, gaining experience and also provide you with the chance to hear of other organisations and any jobs going. If your agency are not giving you enough hours, then maybe you will have some time to volunteer? Obviously a paid job is preferable, but it may help you get there! :)
I already have work experience, voluntary and been on a 6 month work placement with a homelessness charity.
I've got a job now, although not enough hours and not in the field I want. I can't afford to volunteer, not only have I done plenty of this already, I need a job, I need a higher income and a job that suits me and my interests more!! Easier said than done, I know.
I just have to keep persevering. All I know is that things can't stay like this. I find working in the area of learning disabilities, well, at least in respect of the one-to-one work I carry out with an individual and his family, utterly mentally draining. I know it's important, worthwhile but I'm losing my sanity truth be told and I'm starting to worry about what it's doing to me mentally.
Anyway, enough ranting. Have a nice xmas people and all the best for 2012. If anyone does have any further suggestions, please feel free to share....
Hi there. I work for Nacro. They are a huge provider of services across most sectors nationwide. Definitely worth checking there from time to time possibly?
http://www.nacro.org.uk/header/work-for-us/
I hope you find something soon!
I've heard of Nacro and 3-4 years ago I popped into one of their offices with someone I was working with at the time.
I'll look into nacro and that link you've provided. Thanks for reminding me about Nacro.
I do need to find something as soon as possible really, I'm in fear of losing my sanity in terms of the job I'm doing at present. There's only so much my sanity can take...
hello1984: I read the Guardian daily and there are very few jobs advertised in the society section now, and very few that are relevant to my own needs! The Society section was once a pull-out section, now it's integrated into the main newspaper, with seemingly far fewer pages of content to it. Sign of the economic times to be honest. If anyone else has any suggestions/recommendations, including job agencies they can recommend, please do let me know. If you're not happy broadcasting the name of the organisation, feel free to pop me a private message on here. I'm now registering with some new organisations - that painstaking process of completing numerous different application/registration forms, providing employment histories and getting references. Pain in the bum but it's needing to be done! have a good xmas, folks.
rethink are advertising if thats any use - depends on the area you are in as well....
The best places I can suggest is Stonham Housing (ex-offenders) I'm sure they have a website or NHS job site for drug work (they do come about) also known as CASUS workers. Other Homeless organisations could be Cyrenians, English Churches Housing/ Riverside, Metropolitan (formely Granta) and have a look either through Reed or Randstad agencies.
It all depends on your locality. There are probably more I just know the ones in the Cambridgeshire area.
Hope this helps.
Hi hello1984,
I know how difficult it can be to find the mental space and energy to search for a new job when your current one is so draining. I was looking for similar jobs (amongst others) quite recently and found that jobs with homelessness organisations do show up on the Guardian website quite frequently. I also used Reed. I would also recommend searching online directly for individual organisations as no matter where else they advertise they will always put vacancies up on their own websites too. I was looking in London, so charities here would include Broadway, SHP, Housing for Women - off the top of my head. And there are lots, lots more doing similar work. If you're outside of London there will probably be less of them but I would definitely recommend just googling and following links and seeing where that leads you.
It's a full-time job in itself researching and applying for positions!!! There are certain 'windows' when I feel at the races and get loads done, other times not so much. Need to exploit the time/s when I am feeling in the mood for all this! It's frankly tedious having to do all this and get together references etc. Got to be done though...
Thanks for all your help so far, it's much appreciated.