Waking Night, Child Residential Support Worker (Wisbech / South)

Are you calm, dependable and compassionate, with the ability to stay alert through the night? Join our children’s residential team in Wisbech and be the reassuring presence that helps young people feel safe while they sleep.

• 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
• Induction: 3 to 4 induction day shifts, paid at the same rate and normally on your start date

As a Waking Night Child Residential Support Worker, you’ll provide continuous overnight care and supervision in a specialist children’s residential home. Your focus is the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the young people throughout the night. You’ll stay awake and alert for your whole shift, carry out scheduled welfare checks, and respond calmly to any needs, concerns or incidents. If a young person wakes or becomes distressed, you’ll be there to offer comfort and reassurance.

You’ll also keep accurate records, complete safety checks and pass on a thorough handover to the day team.

This role suits someone who is observant, patient and confident working independently, while keeping high standards of care and safeguarding.

• Provide attentive, consistent overnight support to children and young people
• Stay awake, alert and vigilant throughout the waking-night shift
• Carry out regular welfare checks in line with individual care plans and risk assessments
• Monitor wellbeing and notice any changes in behaviour, concerns or potential risks
• Respond appropriately when a young person wakes, becomes distressed or needs support
• Offer reassurance and emotional support in a calm, professional way
• Support children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD)
• Recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns, incidents and emergencies in line with the home’s policies
• Maintain professional boundaries and use positive, relationship-based approaches
• Carry out security, fire safety and other overnight checks
• Complete accurate night reports, daily records and incident documentation
• Give a clear, thorough handover to the incoming day team
• Work with colleagues, managers and external professionals
• Complete 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 organisational policies

Essential

• Experience working with children or young people
• The ability to stay awake, alert and attentive throughout overnight shifts
• A calm, patient and resilient approach
• Good observation skills and the ability to spot changes in behaviour or wellbeing
• A good understanding of safeguarding, child protection and professional boundaries
• Good communication skills
• Clear, accurate written record-keeping
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• The ability to respond appropriately to challenging or unexpected situations
• 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 in a children’s residential home
• Experience with EBD, SEN or SEMH settings
• Previous waking night experience (not essential)
• A relevant qualification, such as a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or willingness to work towards one
• A full UK driving licence

We welcome applications from people with experience in children’s residential care, children’s support work, care work, youth work, behaviour support, therapeutic support, SEN or SEMH settings, foster care and supported accommodation. You don’t need to have worked nights before. Most importantly, you should genuinely care about the wellbeing of the young people you support.

• £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 on the same rate of pay
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Career progression within a growing organisation
• The chance to build meaningful relationships and develop valuable experience in specialist residential childcare

The safety, welfare and protection of children and young people are at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person in our care. 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.

Job type: Full time, permanent | Work location: In person