Waking Nights Children’s Support Worker (Wisbech / South)

Waking Nights Children’s Support Worker | Wisbech / South | Full Time, Permanent | £29,120 per annum

We are looking for a Waking Nights Children’s Support Worker to join our team in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. You will support children and young people in a specialist residential home, helping them feel safe, settled and cared for through the night.

Working through the night, you will help maintain a safe, secure and reassuring environment while the young people sleep. You will stay awake and vigilant, complete regular welfare checks, respond to any concerns or incidents, and offer support and reassurance if a young person wakes or is struggling.

This role suits someone who is observant, patient and able to work independently while maintaining high standards of care and safeguarding.

Role details

• Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
• Contract: Full time, permanent
• Salary: £29,120 per annum (£16.00 per hour)
• Hours: 35 per week on average
• Pattern: 4 nights on, 4 nights off
• Shifts: 10 hours, 21:30 to 07:30, awake and actively working throughout

The role

You will provide continuous overnight supervision and support within the home. Your priority is the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the young people throughout the night, offering a calm and reassuring presence if they wake or experience difficulties.

Key responsibilities

• Provide attentive, consistent overnight support to children and young people, including those with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD)
• Remain awake, alert and vigilant throughout the entire waking-night shift
• Carry out regular welfare checks in line with individual care plans and risk assessments
• Monitor the wellbeing of the young people and identify any changes, concerns or potential risks
• Respond calmly and professionally when a young person wakes, becomes distressed or needs support
• Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and agreed support strategies
• Recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns, incidents and emergencies in line with our policies and procedures
• Maintain professional boundaries and use positive, relationship-based approaches
• Carry out security, fire safety and other overnight checks
• Keep the home safe, secure, clean and welcoming
• Complete accurate night reports, daily records and incident documentation, including welfare checks and significant events
• Give a thorough handover to the incoming day team and share important information with colleagues, managers and relevant professionals
• Carry out light household duties during quieter periods and help prepare the home for the morning routine
• Work in line with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards and our organisational policies

Requirements

About you

You do not need previous waking nights experience. We are interested in people with the right experience, attitude and approach to provide high-quality overnight support. Relevant backgrounds include children’s residential care, children’s support work, youth work, social care, behaviour support, SEN or SEMH settings, foster care, supported accommodation and therapeutic support. Experience supporting children and young people with EBD is particularly relevant.

Essential

• Prior residential childcare experience
• The ability to remain awake, alert and attentive throughout overnight shifts
• A calm, patient, resilient and child-centred approach
• Strong observation skills and the ability to recognise changes in behaviour or wellbeing
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• An understanding of safeguarding, child protection and professional boundaries
• The ability to respond appropriately to challenging or unexpected situations
• Good written record-keeping and reporting skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a wider team
• The right to work in the UK
• Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS check, including the children’s barred list, and the other pre-employment checks below

Desirable

• Experience supporting children and young people with EBD, or in SEN or SEMH settings
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards it

Most importantly, you should genuinely care about the wellbeing of the young people you support. Overnight care requires consistency, patience, good judgement and the ability to offer reassurance, even in challenging moments.

Benefits

Starting with us

New starters begin with 3 to 4 paid induction day shifts, at the same rate of pay, before moving onto full-time nights. This helps you get to know the home, the young people and the team.

What we offer

• £29,120 per annum for an average 35-hour week
• A fixed 4-on, 4-off rota with long blocks of time off
• Paid induction and training
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Company pension
• Free on-site parking
• Casual dress
• Opportunities for career progression
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• The chance to build meaningful relationships with children and young people and develop valuable experience in specialist residential childcare

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointment is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with Schedule 2 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, including:

• An Enhanced DBS check, including the children’s barred list
• Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
• A full employment history, with any gaps explained
• Two satisfactory references, including your most recent employer
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Satisfactory health and fitness information

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose all convictions and cautions that are not protected under current filtering legislation.