Waking Night Support Worker

Job Overview

We are seeking a compassionate, reliable and dedicated Waking Night Residential Support Worker to join our children's residential home, supporting young people aged 8–18 who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), including needs arising from trauma and disrupted attachments.

Our approach is centred around providing a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment where young people feel valued, listened to and supported to achieve positive outcomes. We promote relationship-based care, consistency and an understanding that behaviour is often a form of communication.

As a Waking Night Residential Support Worker, you will play an essential role in maintaining a safe, calm and supportive environment throughout the night. You will provide reassurance, emotional support and appropriate supervision, recognising that night-time can be particularly challenging for young people who have experienced trauma, anxiety or disrupted attachments.

You will be expected to remain awake and alert throughout your shift, responding to young people's individual needs while promoting healthy sleep routines, independence and emotional wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguarding and Supervision: Maintain the safety and welfare of young people throughout the night, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, incidents and emerging risks.
• Therapeutic Care: Build positive, trusting relationships with young people, using trauma-informed, attachment-focused approaches, including PACE principles, to provide reassurance and emotional support.
• Night-Time Support: Support young people who may experience difficulties sleeping, anxiety, emotional distress or behavioural challenges, using calm, consistent and nurturing approaches.
• Care Planning: Follow individual placement plans, risk assessments, behaviour support plans and night-time arrangements, ensuring care is tailored to each young person's needs.
• Positive Behaviour Support: Recognise behaviour as a form of communication and use appropriate de-escalation, emotional regulation and restorative approaches when responding to challenging situations.
• Health and Safety: Complete required environmental and safeguarding checks, ensuring the home remains safe and secure throughout the night.
• Emergency Response: Respond confidently and appropriately to emergencies, safeguarding concerns and incidents, following the home's procedures and contacting the on-call management team when required.
• Recording and Reporting: Maintain accurate, timely and professional records using the home's electronic recording system, including night-time observations, incidents and significant events.
• Communication and Handoovers: Provide clear and detailed handovers to the day team, ensuring important information about young people's wellbeing, sleep patterns and any concerns is communicated effectively.
• Teamwork and Accountability: Work collaboratively with colleagues, including sleep-in staff and the management team, maintaining professional boundaries and following agreed safeguarding and operational procedures.
• Quality and Compliance: Maintain standards of care in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards and Ofsted expectations.

Requirements

Essential:

• A genuine passion for supporting children and young people who have experienced adversity, trauma or disrupted attachments.
• Good understanding of safeguarding, child protection and the importance of maintaining a safe residential environment.
• Ability to remain awake, attentive and responsive throughout the night shift.
• Confidence in responding to challenging situations, using appropriate judgement and following safeguarding procedures.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide reassurance and build positive relationships with young people.
• Good organisational and IT skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and complete required night-time tasks.
• Ability to work independently while recognising when to seek guidance or escalate concerns.
• A compassionate, patient and resilient approach to supporting young people.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to drive the home's vehicle when required, including responding to emergencies or supporting young people during night-time hours.
• Flexibility to work waking night shifts, including weekends and bank holidays as required.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working within a children's residential home or supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (England), or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and safeguarding responsibilities within residential childcare.
• Experience or training in Team Teach, PACE, therapeutic parenting or positive behaviour support.
• Experience supporting young people with sleep difficulties, emotional dysregulation or complex needs.

Applicants who do not hold the relevant Level 3 qualification must be willing to undertake and complete this within the required regulatory timescales.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who understands that providing care during the night involves more than maintaining safety. You will recognise the importance of creating a calm, predictable and reassuring environment where young people feel secure and supported.

You will be patient, emotionally resilient and confident in responding to young people's needs, particularly during periods of distress or uncertainty.

You will demonstrate professional curiosity, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure, while maintaining appropriate boundaries and promoting positive relationships.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to be part of a developing residential children's home where your contribution will play an important role in creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for young people.

We are committed to providing a positive working environment that values teamwork, reflective practice, professional development and high-quality, child-centred care.

If you are passionate about supporting young people and understand the importance of providing consistent, compassionate care throughout the night, we would welcome your application.

Pay: £26,000.00-£26,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Employee assistance programme
• Flexible schedule
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Paid training

Work Location: In person