I hope one day someone will see something of value in me and give me a chance to work for them. In the mean time I will finish converting my DIPSW to a BA (Hons), it will not help me get a job but will be a personal achievement.

Anyone who has any job possibilities from open minded employers within the South of England it would be very much appreciated if they let me know, if not the South then other regions could be considered or even other countries, worlds, universes.......mmm sounds bad, well I have an excuse as I am a service user!

 Hi Sweetgrass

Welcome to CareSpace. I think it's really important that people who have experience of receiving services are given the opportunity to use their expertise and I hope you get a job soon.

All the best

Simeon 

Hi Simeon2,

Thank you!

Sweetgrass,

It is always difficult to know REALLY why anyone is turned down for a job but it is always worth asking for formal feedback and seeing if there are any common threads. At the more extreme end it may even be worth making a request under the Data Protection Act for all information held on you to be disclosed.

As well as making direct applications it is also worth registering with Agencies - some have really positive links with specific employers. The larger ones are BBT, BlueCare, Reed, Reliance but several advertise and can be accessed through the Community Care website.

Having been a 'Service User' should be no obstacle byut some employers may 'play safe' rather than take what they may consider to be a 'risk.'

Are you a member of a Professional Association or Trades Union? If so, worth discussing your situation with them.

You may also benefit by trying the  Private or Voluntary sectors - establishing a positive work history there will make local authorities more keen to consider you.

Above all I would always advise you to be completely open and honest and not to give up. Somewhere out there is a job with your name written on it!

Hi Rupert,

Thank you very much for your reply and advice, I will look into your suggestions. I am registered with the GSCC and have to re-register with them soon. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I will look into agencies,  I have avoided them as people have talked about being thrown in at the very deep end and given work that no one else wants. I would prefer to build up as I don't want to sink straight away.

I did join a Trade Union at the end of last year, I will look into your suggestion and see what they think.

I believe that honesty is the best policy. I have always been an open an honest person, maybe sometimes a bit too anally expressive!

Your post has incited me to keep pushing forward and I am looking forward to the job that is out there and is going to me mine.

Oh! one last question, do you think it would be a good thing for me to apply for unqualified posts even though I am qualified? Or does it sound too desperate?

Anyway here is to not giving up!

Thank you.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in applying for an unqualified post IF such a post is what you really want - such as in an specific area of interest. I think that being 'desperate' would probably come out at interview and you would need to have some good answers ready as to why you were not applying for a qualified post but if, once having applied, you are then shortlisted you have to assume that you are in with a good chance.

Career-wise I would have to advise that you ought, however, to limit yourself to qualified posts.

Re-registration with the GSCC ought not to be a problem providing you have completed your 90 hours post-registartion training / study within the past 3 years - not being employed does not come into their considerations (unless for disciplinary etc. reasons).

Thank you for the advice, I will have qualified posts as my aim in the future as I have worked in all genres and enjoyed them all. I did favour mental health but maybe its now a bit too close to home.

 I am really glad that I have always valued training and in the last 3 years have done as much related training as possible thinking it might give me a head start when going for a social work position. So meeting the 90 hours will not be a problem. I was worried that the GSCC might hold my mental health history against me.

Thank you

Hello Rupert,

Well I took the plunge and put my CV on Community Care's job search! I was totally honest and did not cover up my mental illness. At least that way I know if employers contact me they must be interested despite my mental health history.

It just seems to be a better way forward rather than giving myself a good hiding by applying for jobs and getting nowhere.

We shall see what happens! fingers crossed.

Any further progress yet, Sweetgrass? I think that you did the right thing by putting your CV on the CommCare site but I would also try Agencies.

I only put in on Community Cares site on Friday so its too early to say. I have a feeling of excitement and trepidation. Ok, I will try an agency just to see what happens. Would you mind if I sent my CV to you on the private messages. I would value your opinion and some feedback as to whether it is ok or not.

Thank you