Waking Night Support Worker

YourRecruit; Derby; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

YourRecruit Ltd in Derby is seeking a dedicated Waking Night Support Worker to supervise and care for children and young people during night shifts. You will respond to individual needs, maintain safety, and complete records and handovers, contributing to a calm, secure home environment.

The role requires experience with children or vulnerable individuals, DBS clearance, and a commitment to mandatory training.

Qualifications

• Genuine commitment to supporting children and young people.
• Previous experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals.
• Understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Calm, patient and professional approach, particularly in challenging situations.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently at night while contributing effectively to the wider team.
• Reliable, responsible and able to remain alert throughout waking-night shifts.
• Commitment to mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
• Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references, where required.

Responsibilities

• Provide attentive supervision throughout the night, ensuring children and young people remain safe through support bedtime and early-morning routines and respond appropriately to emotional or other needs.
• Carry out welfare, security, health and safety, and fire-safety checks.
• Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and behaviour-support plans.
• Promote safeguarding and promptly report concerns, incidents or suspected abuse. Maintain accurate records, including observations, incidents and medication.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and a safe, clean and homely environment.
• Complete appropriate practical duties, including breakfast preparation, laundry and tidying, without compromising supervision.
• Work positively with colleagues, managers, families and other professionals.
• Attend relevant training, supervision and team meetings.

Skills

Night shift independence

Childcare commitment

Verbal & written communication

DBS clearance

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent

Willingness to work towards Level 3 Diploma

Tools

First Aid training

Safeguarding training

Medication administration training

Fire Safety training

Job description

Waking Night Support Worker

Location: Derby, Derbyshire

Job Type: Full-time / Permanent

Pay Rate: £15.50 to £16.50 depending on experience

Working Pattern: 10pm to 8.30am - 4 days on / 4 days off including weekends and bank holidays

Reports to: Registered Manager / Senior Support Worker

Job Purpose

To provide safe, consistent and child-centred care and supervision to children and young people throughout the night. The Waking Night Support Worker will maintain a calm, secure and nurturing environment, respond appropriately to the individual needs of each young person, and ensure that all relevant records and handovers are completed accurately.

The post holder will play an important role in safeguarding young people and supporting their wellbeing while maintaining the home to a safe, clean and welcoming standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide attentive supervision throughout the night, ensuring children and young people remain safe through support bedtime and early-morning routines and respond appropriately to emotional or other needs.
• Carry out welfare, security, health and safety, and fire-safety checks.
• Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and behaviour-support plans.
• Promote safeguarding and promptly report concerns, incidents or suspected abuse. Maintain accurate records, including observations, incidents and medication.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and a safe, clean and homely environment.
• Complete appropriate practical duties, including breakfast preparation, laundry and tidying, without compromising supervision.
• Work positively with colleagues, managers, families and other professionals.
• Attend relevant training, supervision and team meetings.

Person Specification - Essential

• Genuine commitment to supporting children and young people.
• Previous experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals.
• Understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Calm, patient and professional approach, particularly in challenging situations.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently at night while contributing effectively to the wider team.
• Reliable, responsible and able to remain alert throughout waking-night shifts.
• Commitment to mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
• Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references, where required.

Person Specification - Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, or willingness to work towards one.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs, autism, learning disabilities or emotional/behavioural difficulties, and an understanding of trauma-informed and child-centred approaches.
• Relevant training, such as First Aid, Safeguarding, Medication or Fire Safety.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Caring, compassionate and emotionally resilient
• Reliable, trustworthy and calm under pressure
• Observant and attentive
• Respectful and non-judgemental
• A good communicator and positive team player
• Committed to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and young people

The successful applicant will be expected to uphold safeguarding responsibilities at all times. The role will be subject to appropriate safer-recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check where applicable.

Sleeping during a waking-night shift is not permitted. The post holder must remain awake, alert and available to respond to the needs and safety of the children throughout the shift.

Please only apply if you are already eligible to work in the UK (indefinitely & without sponsorship).

YourRecruit Ltd does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender or disability and complies with all relevant UK legislation.