Job Purpose:
As a Waking Nights Support Worker in our children’s home, you will play a vital role in providing overnight care, safety, and emotional support to children and young people aged 8-16 years old with a range of emotional, behavioural, or complex needs. You will ensure the home remains a safe, nurturing, and structured environment during the night.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervision and Safety:
Maintain a vigilant presence to ensure the safety and welfare of all children overnight. Conduct regular checks and respond promptly to any incidents or disturbances.
- Emotional Support:
Offer reassurance and emotional care to children who may experience night-time issues, anxiety, nightmares, or require additional support during the night.
- Monitoring and Recording:
Accurately record observations, incidents, and relevant events during your shift in line with regulatory and organisational procedures.
- Household Duties:
Undertake light domestic tasks (e.g., laundry, tidying communal areas, preparing breakfast ingredients) to support the smooth running of the home.
- Health and Medication:
Follow appropriate protocols in case of illness, injury, or the administration of night-time medication (if trained and authorised to do so).
- Safeguarding:
Always uphold the safeguarding and protection of the children in your care, adhering to policies and procedures and reporting concerns appropriately.
- Team Communication:
Liaise effectively with the day team through handovers, written logs, and verbal updates to ensure continuity of care.
Person Specification:
Essential:
- Level 2 or 3 in working with children and young people (or willingness to work towards)
- 2 years experience working with children or young people in a residential or care setting
- A calm, patient, and resilient approach to behaviour with a can do attitude
- Understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles
- Excellent communication and observational skills
- Ability to work independently during night shifts and respond effectively in emergencies
- Physically and emotionally capable of staying awake and alert throughout shift duration
- Shift starts 7.30pm-8am. Staff expected to work 3 shifts a week
Desirable:
- First Aid and/or Medication Administration Training
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice or therapeutic approaches to care
Additional Information:
- This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
- Full training, induction, and continuous professional development will be provided.
- You may be required to attend occasional daytime training sessions or team meetings.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £14.00-£16.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 01/08/2025
