Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

Area Camden; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A supportive childcare organization is seeking a Qualified Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker to provide care for children during night shifts. The role requires remaining awake to ensure safety and offering emotional support to children through engaging activities. Candidates should possess a Children Workforce Diploma or equivalent and demonstrate strong teamwork and effective communication skills. This position offers competitive pay, training opportunities, and a commitment to child welfare.

Benefits

Robust induction and training program

Career progression opportunities

Pension scheme

236 hours annual leave

Holiday increase per year

Qualifications

• Experience working as part of a team.
• Commitment to child welfare and safeguarding.
• Ability to follow delegated tasks and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Remain awake during shifts to ensure child safety.
• Engage in activities and provide emotional support.
• Keep accurate records and communicate with services.

Skills

Teamwork

Knowledge of safeguarding children

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Empathy

Energy and enthusiasm

Education

Children Workforce Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Greater London (Covering Area Camden homes in Camden, Haringey & Islington)

Salary: Up to £30,641.52 per annum (dependent on qualification)

(Qualified Support Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent)

Specific Hours: 20:00–8:00 (12 hour shifts)

Area Camden

Area Camden is a part of the Polaris Community, and the aim is to provide the highest levels of care and service to enable young people to achieve their goals. We do this by ensuring our staff are recruited, vetted and trained against a strict framework with emphasis placed on the quality and continuity of our care workers to provide a stable and secure environment for all young people at night.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. We are dedicated to working flexibly and imaginatively with all other professionals and families to ensure the best interests of every young person in our care are consistently met.

We are looking for a Qualified Waking Night Support Worker to join our team offering a comprehensive residential service to children and young people, the aim being to ensure the physical, social and emotional care and development of the children and young people in our homes.

Benefits

• A robust induction and mandatory training program to upskill our workforce
• Progression within the organisation on promotion and development of given role
• Weekly rota on rotation i.e. (1 week) – Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday = 60 hours (2 week) – Wednesday and Thursday = 24 hours
• Minimum average of 168 hours per calendar month
• 236 hours annual leave per annum (including bank holidays)
• Holiday increase per year – 12 extra hours for 3 years (capped at 272 hours)
• Pension scheme after a qualifying period
• Enrolment and funding to required qualification if not already held.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Remain awake during the duration of your working shift.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of each child for the duration of the wake night shift.
• Offer empathy and compassion during the night if needed.
• Engage in activities with the children.
• Conduct bedtime routines that are person‑centred to the child.
• Use a computer to keep accurate records.
• Report a child as missing and follow the Philomena procedure.
• Communicate effectively with out‑of‑hour services.
• Answer phone calls professionally, take messages and respond to requests and questions.
• Carry out duties in line with Area Camden group policies, procedures and equal opportunities.
• Be a positive role model for colleagues and children.

All staff are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the ethos, vision, aims and core principles of Area Camden and be prepared to contribute towards these aims within their staff team. The above is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the home and children.

Essential Skills Required

• Work as part of a team / bring energy and enthusiasm to the role.
• Experience and knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Follow delegated tasks and record detailed handovers.
• Maintain Area Camden's policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Engage and listen to children. Take action where needed.
• Be organised and able to plan and prepare work.
• Be willing to work towards the relevant qualification if not held.
• Hold a Children Workforce Diploma or equivalent.

Area Camden is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.