Waking Nights Child Support Worker

Paragon Social Care; Rookhope; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression opportunities

Training and development

Inclusive working environment

Job summary

Paragon Social Care is seeking a Children’s Residential Support Worker for night shifts in Crook, County Durham. You will help create a safe, calm home overnight, supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and responding to safeguarding concerns.

The role requires staying awake during waking nights, completing welfare checks, maintaining records, and working a rota that includes weekends. We offer training, career progression and a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in children's residential care or supporting young people.
• Waking night or night-shift experience preferred.
• Willingness to work overnights and on rota patterns.

Responsibilities

• Support children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties overnight.
• Carry out welfare checks in line with care plans and risk assessments.
• Respond to incidents and safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Provide reassurance, emotional support and role modeling.
• Maintain accurate records and handovers.
• Complete security and fire safety checks.
• Assist with light household duties to keep the home welcoming.
• Support morning routines and handovers to the day team.
• Follow care plans, safeguarding procedures and organisational policies.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Patient and compassionate

Excellent communication

Safeguarding awareness

Teamwork

Job description

Children's Residential Support Worker – Waking Nights

Crook, County Durham | Full Time | Residential Childcare | Waking Nights

£29,160 per annum

Some young people need someone there when the rest of the world is asleep.

We are looking for a Children's Residential Support Worker to join our dedicated team in Crook, County Durham, supporting children and young people through the night.

For some young people, nighttime can be difficult. Anxiety, uncertainty and difficult experiences can feel bigger in the quiet hours. Your presence can bring reassurance, stability and a sense of safety.

This is more than a waking night shift. It is an opportunity to be the trusted adult who is there when a young person needs someone most.

About the Role

You will help create a safe, settled and welcoming environment throughout the night, supporting young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and responding to their individual needs.

You'll provide reassurance when needed, maintain appropriate boundaries, carry out welfare checks and ensure the home remains safe and secure.

Sometimes your biggest contribution may be a conversation. Sometimes it may simply be knowing when something isn't quite right.

Key Responsibilities

• Support children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD)
• Maintain a safe, calm and nurturing environment overnight
• Carry out welfare checks in line with care plans and risk assessments
• Respond appropriately to incidents, safeguarding concerns and emergencies
• Offer reassurance, emotional support and positive role modelling
• Maintain accurate records, reports and handovers
• Complete security and fire safety checks
• Carry out light household duties to keep the home welcoming
• Support morning routines and effective handovers to the day team
• Follow care plans, safeguarding procedures, regulations and organisational policies

What We're Looking For

We welcome applications from people with experience in:

• Children's Residential Care
• Children's Support Work
• Youth Work
• Social Care
• SEN or SEMH settings
• Behaviour Support
• Foster Care or Supported Accommodation

You’ll be calm, patient, compassionate and resilient, with good communication skills and a genuine commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

Most importantly, you'll understand that every young person has a story — and that how we treat them today can help shape what they believe is possible tomorrow.

• Full-time waking night shifts
• Rota-based working, including weekends and bank holidays
• You must remain awake, alert and available throughout the night
• Flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the service
• Occasional rota changes may be necessary to maintain continuity of care

What We Offer

£29,160 per annum

Plus:

• Supportive and inclusive working environment
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Career progression opportunities
• The chance to build a meaningful career in residential childcare
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to a young person's life

Why this role matters

You may be the person who helps a frightened child settle.

The person who listens when they need to talk.

The person who notices the small changes others might miss.

Or simply the person who is there — consistently, calmly and without judgement.

You may never fully know the impact you have. But to a young person who needs someone they can trust, your presence could mean everything.

Safeguarding

This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment checks.