Waking Night Childrens Residential Support Worker

A wilderness Way; Preston-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's support organization in Preston-on-Tees seeks a Waking Night Residential Support Worker to help vulnerable children through the night. Responsibilities include providing calm care, checking in with children, and supporting daily routines. Ideal candidates should have experience with children, a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to pursue), and a UK driving license. This role offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits including bonuses and health discounts.

Benefits

Base salary from £14/hour

10-hour night shifts

5.6 weeks annual leave

Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

£1,000 ‘Refer a Friend’ bonus

Medicash health benefits

Life assurance (2x salary)

Company pension (auto-enrolled)

Qualifications

• Experience in care, education, or a similar background.
• Willingness to work towards Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• Essential to be calm, dependable, and emotionally resilient.

Responsibilities

• Provide calm, consistent care through the night.
• Check in on children and offer reassurance.
• Complete light household tasks and write accurate logs.

Skills

Experience with children or young people

Calm and dependable

Emotional resilience

Confident in lone working

Full UK driving licence

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Support Children While the World Sleeps – Waking Night Residential Support Worker

As a Waking Night Residential Support Worker at Wilderness Way, you'll play a vital role working over a cluster of our homes, supporting vulnerable children through the night - creating a peaceful, nurturing environment where they feel safe, seen, and supported.

Why Join Us?

• Base salary from £14/hour (from £29,120 for full-time hours)
• 10-hour night shifts (typically 10pm–8am)
• 4-on-4 off set rolling shift pattern
• 5.6 weeks annual leave
• Extra leave awarded at 2- and 5-years’ service
• Thorough induction and six-month welcome programme
• Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (if not yet achieved)
• £1,000 ‘Refer a Friend’ bonus
• Monthly Wilderness Heroes Awards recognising your impact
• Medicash health benefits: optical/dental cashback, 24/7 virtual GP, wellness discounts
• Gym, high street and restaurant discounts
• Life assurance (2x salary)
• Company pension (auto-enrolled)

Your Night-to-Night

You'll provide calm, consistent care through the night, checking in on children, offering reassurance if they wake, and supporting any overnight needs. You’ll also complete light household tasks, write accurate logs, and help with the morning routine before handover to the day team.

You’ll usually be the sole waking staff member on shift, with sleep-in colleagues on site and a supportive, trauma-informed culture around you.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience with children or young people - in care, education, or similar
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to work towards it)
• Calm, dependable, and emotionally resilient
• A full UK driving licence and access to transport
• Confident in lone working and night-based roles

All roles at Wilderness Way are subject to Safer Recruitment checks, including references, an enhanced DBS, and online/social media screening for successful candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, experience, or protected characteristics.