If schools have undergone a period of rapid change, then so have local authorities and their children’s services. Normally, I would say a post with a local authority was as safe as a post in a school: they are both public sector jobs. However, you might have to change your terms and conditions of employment. Look at the implications for your pension of any change of sector. In the end, it will be the job that matters, but remember that those parts of the public sector without pay review bodies have done less well in the past decade than those such as teachers whose pay is regulated by a review body.

If you have a question for John Howson, please email susan.young@tes.co.uk