Job Description – Support Worker (Sleep-In)
Supported Accommodation (16–18, Ofsted Regulated)
Location: Trimdon Grange
Contract: Full-Time
Salary: up to £34,000 per year
Company: North East Help Limited (NE-Help)
About NE-Help
North East Help Limited (NE-Help) provides high-quality supported and semi-independent accommodation for young people and Care Leavers aged 16–18, in line with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Ofsted Quality Standards.
We work in partnership with local authorities and professionals to deliver safe, nurturing, and outcome-focused support tailored to each young person’s assessed needs. Our approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centred, enabling young people to build independence, resilience, and essential life skills as they prepare for adulthood.
Role Purpose
Support Workers play a vital role within NE-Help’s Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation provision, ensuring young people experience safe accommodation, consistent staffing, and appropriate overnight support in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Working under the direction of the Registered Service Manager, Support Workers will provide daytime and sleep-in support, ensuring continuity of care, safeguarding oversight, and clear handovers between shifts.
The role operates within all organisational policies and procedures and in full compliance with:
· Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023
· Ofsted Quality Standards
· Children Act 1989 & 2004
· Working Together to Safeguard Children
Shift Pattern & Sleep-In Arrangements
This role includes regular sleep-in shifts, which form a key part of the service’s safeguarding and supervision arrangements.
Shift Structure:
· Shift Start: 10:00am
· Young People’s Curfew: 10:00pm
· Sleep-In Period: 11:00pm – 7:30am
· Wake-Up & Morning Support: from 7:30am
· Handover Period: 9:30am – 10:00am
During sleep-in shifts, Support Workers are expected to:
· Remain on site overnight
· Respond to any incidents, emergencies, or welfare concerns
· Provide reassurance and support if a young person requires assistance
· Carry out welfare checks in line with risk assessments and support plans
· Clear written and verbal handovers must be completed to ensure continuity, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
· Person-Centred Support
· Deliver a flexible, responsive, and person-centred service aligned with each young person’s support plan and assessed needs
· Act as Key Worker for allocated young people, delivering regular key-work sessions focused on wellbeing, progress, and outcomes
· Promote young people’s rights, voice, and participation, ensuring they understand their entitlements and have access to advocacy where required
· Support young people to prepare for their next steps within the Young People’s Pathway or into independent living
Safety, Welfare & Safeguarding
· Maintain a safe, secure, and supportive environment at all times, including during sleep-in periods
· Carry out welfare checks, room checks, and monitoring in line with risk assessments
· Respond appropriately to emergencies, including safeguarding incidents, fire safety, first aid, and crisis situations
· Identify, record, and report safeguarding concerns in line with statutory guidance and internal procedures
· Ensure visitors comply with safeguarding, sign-in, and site security procedures
Promoting Independence & Life Skills
Support young people to develop independence skills, including:
· budgeting and money management
· cooking and nutrition
· routines, hygiene, and self-care
· managing appointments and responsibilities
· Encourage engagement in education, training, and employment (ETE)
· Support attendance at appointments, activities, and structured routines
Behaviour Support & Emotional Wellbeing
· Provide emotional support, reassurance, and guidance
· Use trauma-informed and de-escalation approaches to manage challenging behaviour
· Support young people experiencing distress, dysregulation, or crisis
· Build positive, consistent, and professional relationships based on trust and respect
Multi-Agency Working
Work collaboratively with:
· Social Workers and Personal Advisers
· Education providers
· Health professionals (including CAMHS)
· Police, housing teams, and specialist services
· Attend reviews, professionals’ meetings, and multi-agency planning sessions
· Share information appropriately in line with safeguarding, GDPR, and confidentiality requirements
Recording, Reporting & Compliance
· Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed records in line with Ofsted expectations
· Complete incident reports, daily logs, key-work records, and risk assessments
· Contribute to support plan reviews and care planning
· Complete clear written and verbal handover reports between shifts
· Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to all safeguarding, data protection, and confidentiality policies
· Keep knowledge up to date with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements
Experience, Skills & Requirements
Essential:
· Experience working with vulnerable young people (preferably 16–18)
· Understanding of safeguarding and Every Child Matters framework
· Ability to work calmly and confidently with complex needs and challenging behaviour
· Experience completing risk assessments, support plans, and needs assessments
· Strong communication, literacy, and IT skills
· Willingness to work a flexible rota including sleep-in shifts and weekends
Desirable:
· Experience within Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation or children’s services
· Knowledge of trauma-informed and relational practice
Experience supporting young people with:
· mental health needs
· substance misuse
· exploitation or gang risks
· offending or antisocial behaviour
Pay: Up to £34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Experience:
- working in a supported accommodation or children's home: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
