Secure Residential Support Worker Nights

East Sussex County Council; Hailsham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council invites applications for a waking nights Support Worker at Lansdowne Secure Children’s Home. You will help ensure safe, secure night-time care and engage children in activities, supporting wellbeing and development.

You will work within a dedicated team, applying trauma-aware approaches, managing conversations, and escalating safeguarding concerns when necessary. Training and supportive supervision are provided.

Qualifications

• Understanding how trauma affects behaviour and uses that understanding in everyday interactions.
• Ability to lead from the floor when needed and escalate concerns per safeguarding procedures.
• Excellent communication to offer clear and assertive direction to children.

Responsibilities

• Maintain day-to-day safe and secure care of children at night.
• Keep children engaged with activities such as sports, cooking, arts and crafts.
• Occasional sleep-ins as part of the rota.
• Follow safeguarding policies and report concerns promptly.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Boundary setting

Conflict management

Strong communication

Job description

Job Description

Could you make a difference to the lives of children? Lansdowne Secure Children’s home is one of only 14 in the England & Wales and is a modern, state of the art building with excellent and diverse facilities.

We are looking for Support workers to join our care team. We put children at the heart of everything we do. If this is also you, then you’d likely be a good match for us and we want to hear from you.

This role is a waking nights support worker where you will be required to maintain the excellent care provision to the children throughout the night as required.

You’ll work as part of a dedicated, supportive team, and will be responsible for providing the day-to-day safe and secure care of the children at Lansdowne. Keeping the children engaged and occupied, you’ll encourage and participate in fun, enriching activities with the young people, such as sports, cooking, arts and crafts and many more. As part of the rota you will be required to do sleep ins in the home on occasion.

The working pattern follows a two-week rolling rota, with adjustments made to accommodate annual leave and training. Rotas are reviewed regularly to ensure that at least 28 days’ notice is given for any changes.

The Pattern Is As Follows

• Week One: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Week Two: W ednesday and Thursday
• Shift times are 9.30 pm to 7.45 am

We Are Looking For Candidates Who

• Can manage difficult conversations, manage conflict and challenge poor behaviour and/or practice and hold strong, consistent boundaries with young people and isn’t afraid to challenge poor behaviour
• Understand how trauma affects behaviour and uses that understanding in everyday interactions
• Are able to lead from the floor when needed, take initiative and know when to escalation concerns and how to follow safeguarding procedures
• Have communication skills with the ability to offer clear assertive direction and support to children to ensure they feel safe

Please download the job description & person specification for more information.

It is vital that all staff fully understand and undertake their role with professionalism and in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedures. We take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously and expect those working with our children to maintain high standards of vigilance, respect, reporting and professional curiosity at all times.

You will be given extensive training and ongoing support to fully undertake this part of your role and as such will be held to high standards to help keep children safe.

Please note that unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. If you require sponsorship, we will not be able to progress your application.

Interviews will take place in person within two weeks of the closing date at Lansdowne Secure Unit.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Jones via [e-mail] or Karen Carty [e-mail]

A workforce for the community, from the community.

We Warmly Welcome Applications From All Sections Of The Community. We But Particularly Encourage Those From Group That Are Underrepresented In Our Current Workforce Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those who are disabled, men and those who identify as LGBTQ+. We are working towards recruiting a workforce that reflects our community because we recognise the unique skills, experience and perspective that each individual brings.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

“East Sussex is a very good employer. You’re able to work flexibly around childcare and caring responsibilities and that’s really helpful.” - Charlotte, Social Worker

For flexible working, choose East Sussex!

About Us

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.