Waking Night Support Worker

Shaw Trust; Desborough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep-in allowance

Ofsted bonus scheme

Enhanced family leave

Career development pathways

Annual leave flexibility

EAP & wellbeing

Job summary

Homes2Inspire is hiring a Waking Night Support Worker in Desborough to safeguard and support young people through night shifts. You will help with night routines, incidents, handovers, and transport to activities as needed.

The role requires compassion, strong communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Full UK driving licence is essential, and training toward QCF Level 3 is funded. You’ll rotate weekends and bank holidays as part of a 40-hour week.

Qualifications

• Must have compassion and empathy for young people.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to stay calm in challenging situations.
• Willingness to work toward QCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare (funded).
• Honesty and a positive role-model attitude.
• Full UK driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote wellbeing of young people overnight.
• Support night-time routines and manage incidents.
• Provide thorough handover to day shift.
• Assist with daily routines, household tasks and meals.
• Encourage participation in activities and hobbies.
• Transport to school, appointments, and activities.
• Liaise with social workers and therapists to meet needs.
• Maintain records and paperwork.
• Work flexible 4 nights on, 4 nights off from 9pm to 8am, including bank holidays and weekends.

Skills

Compassion and empathy

Communication skills

Calm under pressure

QCF Level 3 training (funded)

Honesty

Full UK driving licence

Education

None

Tools

None

Job description

Waking Night Support Worker

Employer: Homes2Inspire (part of Shaw Trust Group)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent, 40 hours per week

Salary: £29,767 - £31,579 per annum

Location: Desborough, Northamptonshire – NN14

Ofsted: Good in all areas

About Homes2Inspire

Homes2inspire, are part of Shaw Trust Group, a charity dedicated to transforming lives across the UK.

Since opening our first home in 2007, Homes2Inspire has grown to become the UK's largest charity-owned provider of residential children's homes. We support over 150 children across 54 homes and 2 semi-independent leaving care facilities and high-needs foster care provision.

With ambitious growth plans for 2026 / 2027, we are looking for exceptional team members to be part of our exciting journey.

About the Home

Lansdowne House is a 5 bedded children’s residential home in Desborough, Northamptonshire – NN14. Supporting children and young people up to the age of 18 with emotional and behavioural needs – the home provides a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment by offering emotional and practical support to help children develop life skills and build confidence.

The home is close to motorway links and A14 and is commutable from: Leicester, Lutterworth, Rugby, Market Harborough, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Northampton.

The Role

As a Waking Night Support Worker, you will:

• Safeguard and promote the wellbeing of young people in our care throughout the night.
• Support with night-time routines, manage incidents should they occur
• Provide thorough handover to the day shift.
• Support with daily routines, household tasks, and meal preparation.
• Encourage participation in community activities, and hobbies.
• Transport young people to school, medical appointments, and activities.
• Act as a positive role model, setting clear boundaries and building trust.
• Liaise with other professionals like social workers and therapists to ensure the physical and emotional needs are met.
• Help young people develop life skills, including managing finances.
• Maintain accurate records and paperwork.
• Work flexibly rotating onto weekends, bank holidays.
• Be able to work 4 nights on, 4 nights off from 9pm to 8am, which include working bank holidays and weekends.

What You’ll Bring

• Compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Willingness to work towards QCF Level 3 in Residential Childcare (fully funded).
• Honesty, empathy, and a commitment to being a positive role model.
• Drivers with a FULL UK license is essential.

Hours

Contracted to work 40 hours per week

Working 4 shifts on / 4 shifts off – 9pm – 8am

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (£29,767 - £31,579) per annum).
• Sleep-in allowance -£50.00 per sleep (not applicable to waking nights)
• Ofsted Bonus Scheme for homes achieving Good or Outstanding inspection outcomes.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
• Award and Recognition Vouchers celebrating outstanding performance and achievements.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Comprehensive training and career development pathways.
• Generous annual leave, with option to purchase 5 extra days.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellbeing support.
• Unum Healthcare - App-based access to healthcare reimbursements, mental health support, remote GP, and wellbeing perks
• Aviva Digicare - Access free healthcare services including Digital GP consultation, Annual Health Check and Mental Health Assessments
• Refer a Friend bonus.
• Discounts on shopping, cinema, holidays, plus Blue Light Card access.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Subsidised days out with young people.
• Recognition awards for long service and attendance.
• Meals included during shifts.

Important Information

We cannot offer sponsorship or part time hours

Drivers with a FULL UK licence is essential

All successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted regulatory requirements and Homes2Inspire Safer Recruitment Policy.

Candidate applications will be reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to interview candidates before the advertised closing date of this role