Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

Polaris Community; Haverhill (MA); On-site; USD 38,647 - 47,235; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive induction training

Annual leave increases

Pension scheme

Fully funded qualifications

Job summary

A healthcare provider for young people in Haverhill seeks a Waking Night Support Worker. The role involves ensuring children's safety and wellbeing during night shifts, offering empathy and support, and following established protocols. Applicants should have a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, with strong communication and teamwork skills. The position offers 236 hours of annual leave, comprehensive training, and development opportunities, and is committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow tasks and record detailed handovers.
• Willing to work toward a relevant Level 3 qualification if not already held.

Responsibilities

• Stay awake and alert for the full night shift.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of each child throughout the night.
• Support personalised bedtime routines and occasional activities.
• Communicate effectively with out-of-hours services.

Skills

Empathy and support

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Understanding of safeguarding children

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

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)

About Area Camden

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.

• Comprehensive induction and mandatory training
• Clear progression and development opportunities
• Week 1: Mon, Tue, Sat, Sun — 48 hours
• Week 2: Wed, Thu, Fri — 36 hours
• Minimum 168 hours per month
• 236 hours annual leave (including bank holidays)
• 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
• 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
• 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.