Job Description:

Waking Night Support Worker – Children's Residential Home

Location: Maylandsea, Essex
Salary: £30,888 per annum (including allowances)
Shift Pattern: 4 nights on, 4 nights off
Working Hours: 9:00pm – 8:00am

Make a Difference While the World Sleeps

Are you someone who can offer reassurance, build trust and create a sense of security for children and young people?

We are looking for a committed and compassionate Waking Night Support Worker to join a residential children's home in Maylandsea, Essex.

You will play an important role in creating a safe and settled environment for young people aged 8–17, ensuring they feel secure, supported and cared for throughout the night.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people's lives, providing consistency, encouragement and a reassuring presence when they need it most.

What Will Your Nights Involve?

As part of the night team, you will help ensure the home remains a safe, comfortable and welcoming place for everyone.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Keeping young people safe: Monitoring their welfare throughout the night and responding promptly to any concerns or incidents.

• Providing emotional support: Offering reassurance, understanding and a calm approach when young people need help or comfort.

• Maintaining safeguarding standards: Recording observations, completing daily logs and ensuring all relevant documentation is accurate and up to date.

• Preparing for the day ahead: Completing appropriate household tasks to help maintain a clean, organised and homely environment.

• Working as one team: Communicating effectively with colleagues and sharing important information during handovers to ensure continuity of care.

• Promoting wellbeing: Helping create a positive environment where young people feel valued, respected and secure.

What Makes You a Great Fit?

We are looking for someone who genuinely cares about the welfare of children and young people and understands the importance of providing consistent, reliable support.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience working with children or young people, with residential childcare experience being an advantage.

• A patient, empathetic and approachable manner.

• The ability to remain composed and respond effectively in challenging situations.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

• A responsible attitude towards safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• A full UK driving licence, which is essential for this position.

Most importantly, you will be dependable, attentive and committed to helping young people feel safe and supported.

What Can You Expect in Return?

We understand the importance of feeling valued and having the right support to succeed in your role.

You will benefit from:

• £30,888 annual salary, inclusive of allowances.

• A consistent 4-on, 4-off shift pattern, providing regular blocks of time off.

• A comprehensive induction to help you settle into the role.

• Ongoing training to develop your knowledge and skills.

• A welcoming and supportive team environment.

• Opportunities to develop your career within residential childcare.

• Access to staff wellbeing support and additional employee benefits.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Working nights in residential childcare is about more than keeping watch. It's about helping create a home where children and young people feel safe, supported and cared for, even during the quietest hours.

If you're reliable, compassionate and ready to take on a role where your contribution genuinely matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step towards a rewarding career in children's residential care.