Not one day of supply work since August

I have spent 8 years studying to become a teacher in Scotland – 6 of these still working full time in another job. I have given up a lot of time with my own children at nights to achieve my dream job. I completed a masters at [university removed] and was told this would help my case in the awful job situation currently in Scotland for teachers.

Since qualifying it has been nothing short of draining and depressing trying to obtain work. This year, since August, has been particularly difficult and has had a serious impact on my mental health. So far I have not managed to obtain ONE day of work as supply and with the current crisis, unfortunately I cannot afford not to work (coming from a home with two incomes).

I have now had to take a job in a care home for elderly doing night shifts – which again is taking me away from my own children and reducing my availability for supply – however this is not stopping me from trying every day. When the statistics are shown on how many teachers leave the profession in the first 5 years is it really that surprising when this is how ‘professionals’ are being treated after committing such a huge part of their lives to become qualified?