Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

Polaris Community; Greater London; On-site; GBP 27,577 - 33,705; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust induction and mandatory training program

Pension scheme after qualifying period

236 hours annual leave including bank holidays

Job summary

A dedicated children's care organization in Greater London seeks a Qualified Waking Night Support Worker to provide physical, social, and emotional care to children during night shifts. Responsibilities include ensuring safety, maintaining records, and providing empathetic support. Candidates must have a Children Workforce Diploma or equivalent and experience in safeguarding. The role offers competitive shifts, training, and progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge of safeguarding children.
• Ability to engage and listen to children.
• Must be willing to work towards the relevant qualification if not held.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and welfare of each child during night shifts.
• Provide empathy and support to children during nighttime.
• Maintain accurate records and communicate effectively with services.

Skills

Teamwork

Safeguarding children

Effective communication

Empathy

Organisational skills

Education

Children Workforce Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Contract Type: Permanent

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: 20:00–08:00 (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.

• A robust Induction and mandatory training program to up skill 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

• As a Waking Night Support Worker you are required to be awake during the duration of your working shift.
• To ensure the safety and welfare of each child for the duration of the wake night shift.
• Night times can be hard for children as part of the wake night team you will need to be able to offer empathy and compassion during the night time if needed.
• Activities with the children
• Bedtime routines that are person centred to the child
• To be able to use a computer to keep accurate records.
• To be able to report a child as missing and follow the Philomena procedure in doing so.
• Communicate effectively with out of hour services.
• Answering phone calls professionally, taking messages and responding to requests and questions.
• To carry out duties in line with Area Camden group policies procedures and equal opportunities.
• To be a positive role model for other 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

• Must be able to work as part of a team / bring energy and enthusiasm to the role
• Experience and knowledge of safeguarding children
• To follow delegated tasks and record detailed handovers.
• Be able to maintain Area Camden’s policies and procedures.
• Can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Have the ability to 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.
• 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.