Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

About Early Years Ltd.; Haverhill; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction and training

Career progression

Rotational night shifts

Night shift rota 20:00–08:00

Annual leave growth

Job summary

Area Camden is hiring a Waking Night Support Worker to provide a safe, nurturing residential setting that supports children’s physical, emotional, and social development. The role requires staying awake through a 20:00–08:00 shift, safeguarding every child, and contributing to a stable night-time environment.

You will maintain accurate records, work collaboratively with families and professionals, and follow Area Camden policies while being a positive role model for children and staff.

Qualifications

• Must hold or be working toward Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and ability to keep accurate records.
• Ability to communicate clearly with children, families and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Stay awake and vigilant for full night shifts.
• Ensure safety and wellbeing of each child overnight.
• Record handovers accurately in computer systems.
• Follow safeguarding policies and Philomena protocol when missing child is reported.
• Communicate effectively with out-of-hours services and colleagues.

Skills

Teamwork

Safeguarding

Record keeping

Communication

Active listening

Planning

Policy adherence

Night shift resilience

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Willingness to complete Level 3

Job description

Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

Company: Area Camden

• Contract Type: Permanent
• Location: Haverhill, Suffolk
• Salary: Up to £31,867.18 per annum (dependent on qualifications)
• Qualified Rate: Applies to those with a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
• Hours: 20:00–08:00 (12-hour waking night shifts)

Area Camden, part of the Polaris Community, provides high-quality, consistent care to help young people achieve their goals. Our staff are carefully trained to ensure a safe and stable night-time environment, with safeguarding at the heart of everything we do.

We work closely with families and professionals to ensure each young person’s needs are met.

We’re now hiring a Waking Night Support Worker to help provide a safe, nurturing residential setting that supports children’s physical, emotional, and social development.

Benefits

• Comprehensive induction and mandatory training
• Clear progression and development opportunities
• Rotational night-shift rota (20:00–08:00):
• Week 1: Mon, Tue, Sat, Sun — 48 hours
• Week 2: Wed, Thu, Fri — 36 hours
• Minimum 168 hours per month
• 236 hours annual leave
• Annual leave increases by 12 hours per year for 3 years (up to 272 hours)
• Pension scheme (after qualifying period)
• Fully funded required qualifications if not already held

Duties and Responsibilities

• Stay awake and alert for the full night shift
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of each child throughout the night
• Offer empathy and support when young people need reassurance
• Support personalised bedtime routines and occasional activities
• Keep accurate computer-based records
• Follow the Philomena protocol when reporting a missing child
• Communicate effectively with out-of-hours services and handle calls professionally
• Follow Area Camden policies and be a positive role model for children and colleagues
• Contribute to the home’s ethos and adapt to the needs of the young people

Essential Skills Required

• Strong teamwork, energy, and enthusiasm
• Understanding of safeguarding children
• Ability to follow tasks and record detailed handovers
• Able to maintain policies and procedures
• Good written and verbal communication
• Ability to listen, engage, and act appropriately with children
• Organised, with good planning skills
• Willing to work toward a relevant Level 3 qualification (if not already held)

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.