Waking Night Support Worker

Caretech; Kilmarnock; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome bonus (£500)

Refer a Friend bonus (£1,000)

Company pension scheme

PVG/SSSC costs covered

Home from home environment

Job summary

CareTech is seeking a Waking Nights Childcare Worker in Newmilns, Kilmarnock area. Role involves supporting young people with daily routines, education, and therapeutic care in a warm, trauma-informed home. You’ll document progress, plan activities, and work closely with a supportive team to ensure safe, meaningful outcomes for each child.

Salary ranges from £27,976 unqualified to £32,510 with SVQ & HNC. 40 hours per week; full UK driving licence is essential. Closing date: 26 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Warm, patient and a good listener with a focus on outcomes for young people.
• Experience with caring for children or young people is preferred.
• Open to development and learning with supportive team guidance.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Support young people with daily routines and getting ready for school or college.
• Encourage homework completion and plan activities and healthy pastimes.
• Provide nurturing, therapeutic care and build trusting relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues and professionals to deliver high-quality, child-centred care.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to care planning and risk assessments
• Assist with light housekeeping to maintain a warm home environment
• Participate in team meetings, training, and reflective practice

Skills

Driving licence

Job description

Location: Newmilns, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire KA16
Pay: £27,976 unqualified - £29,036 with an SVQ or HNC - £32,510 with SVQ & HNC
Hours per week: 40

Role Description

Waking Nights Childcare Worker

With Spark of Genius, Every Second Counts

At Spark of Genius, you're not just working - you're shaping futures. Furthermore, every moment you spend with our young people helps them to feel safe, valued and supported.

A simple "How was your day?", a shared laugh over a board game or a TV show or encouragement during a tough moment, all these small interactions build trust and shape lives. Some days will be challenging but every breakthrough, every smile and every step forward will remind you why this work truly matters and how you are making a difference.

What will you do?

You will support young people with their daily routines, like ensuring they're ready for school or college in the mornings, making sure homework is done ready for the next day, coming together at meal times, planning activities and encouraging hobbies and healthy pastimes. You will provide consistent, nurturing, and therapeutic care to our children and young people who have experienced trauma and adversity, building trusting relationships, supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes, and work collaboratively with colleagues and professionals to deliver high-quality, child-centred care.

• Ensure our children receive the highest level of support
• Support senior staff with timely updates
• Promote individuality NOT a "one size fits all" approach
• Promote independence, life skills, and positive behaviour through therapeutic approaches
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to care planning and risk assessments
• Be part of a warm, homely environment by helping with light housekeeping
• Build strong, meaningful relationships and provide emotional support
• Participate in team meetings, training, and reflective practice sessions
• Plan and join fun activities like trips to the park, popcorn & movie nights or creative projects

New staff must be comfortable using an electronic care recording system on a daily basis to document, monitor, and update children and young people's records accurately. All staff are expected to confidently use digital systems as part of their day-to-day role.

A Little About This Home

Riverside House is a large Victorian house set in a small village in East Ayrshire. The main house comprises of 6 bedrooms with a self-contained flat in the basement level of the home, a perfect transition for those young people who are ready to live semi-independently.

Riverside prides itself on creating a therapeutic, loving and nurturing environment for the young people to thrive in. The friendly, supportive team are trauma informed and truly understand that building strong meaningful relationships set great foundations to give our young people the best care experience possible and ensuring they are equipped to reach their full potential in life.

Who are you?

We're looking for people who genuinely care and want to make that difference. You'll need to be warm, patient, a great listener and be focused on achieving outcomes for others whilst taking pride in knowing you are helping to shape someone's life for the better. We need people who can evidence skills, knowledge and experiences to support young people who have been affected by trauma and may present or express their needs through emotional, social or behavioural distress.

• Previous experience is preferred or maybe you have cared for a friend or family member
• Demonstrate values that align with our therapeutic approach with a genuine desire to make a difference
• Desire to work towards SSSC qualifications and to develop and enhance your skills and knowledge
• Full UK driving licence is essential
• Open to ongoing development and learning with help from your supportive team
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and written
• Someone with the desire to take pride in helping others

Why join us?

• Competitive rates of pay
• £500 Welcome Bonus on completion of successful probation period
• £1000 Refer A Friend scheme
• Support to progress within the company
• Company pension scheme
• PVG / SSSC costs covered by company
• A genuine home from home with a friendly team

Safeguarding Statement

CareTech is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. All applicants must pass a PVG check and provide references covering the past two years and all previous roles involving vulnerable groups.

CareTech Community Services are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.

Closing date: 26 November 2026