We Are Recruiting: Specialist Childcare Worker(Waking Nights)
Location: Marydale Lodge Secure Children's Home & The Meadows
Salary: £27,734.56 - £29,547.08 per annum, pro rata
Hours of Work: Full-time (38 hours per week), Part-time (19 hours per week)
About the Role
Every Young Person Deserves Someone Who Won't Give Up On Them
Not every young person will trust you straight away.
Some may challenge boundaries, reject support, or communicate their experiences through anger, aggression, withdrawal or risk-taking behaviour.
We're looking for people who can see beyond the behaviour, remain calm when situations are difficult, and help young people feel safe, valued and understood.
At Marydale Lodge Secure Children's Home and The Meadows, we support children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, loss, adversity and disrupted relationships. Through therapeutic care, consistency and positive relationships, we help young people build trust, develop resilience and work towards a brighter future.
This is not always an easy role. It can be emotionally and physically demanding. However, if you're someone who is resilient, compassionate and committed to making a difference, it can also be one of the most rewarding careers you will ever have.
The Type of Person We're Looking For
We're not necessarily looking for someone with years of experience or every qualification already in place.
We are looking for people with the right values, attitude and personal qualities.
The people who thrive in this role can:
- Remain calm and professional during challenging situations.
- Build positive relationships with young people who may struggle to trust adults.
- See beyond behaviour and understand that behaviour is often a form of communication.
- Set clear and consistent boundaries in a caring and respectful way.
- Work as part of a close-knit team and support colleagues during difficult situations.
- Reflect on their practice and continuously develop their skills.
- Remain emotionally resilient without losing empathy.
- Provide consistency, encouragement and stability to young people who need it most.
You may come from a background in residential childcare, education, youth work, health and social care, secure settings, emergency services, the armed forces, customer-facing roles, or another environment where building relationships and managing challenging situations is important.
If you have the right values and commitment, we can help you develop the specialist skills needed to succeed.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Specialist Childcare Worker, you will be part of a skilled, supportive and multidisciplinary team providing therapeutic care to young people within a safe and structured environment.
You will:
- Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
- Support daily routines and individual care plans.
- Promote emotional wellbeing, safety and development.
- Encourage participation in education, health appointments and meaningful activities.
- Work closely with families, social workers, health professionals and education colleagues.
- Maintain accurate records, reports and case documentation.
- Support young people through difficult situations using therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches.
- Contribute to a safe, supportive and nurturing environment every day.
- Play a key role in helping young people achieve positive outcomes and reach their potential.
A Realistic View of the Role
We believe in being honest about what this role involves.
Some days will be challenging.
Young people may present behaviours that are aggressive, confrontational or emotionally demanding. At times, you may be required to manage high-risk situations and respond to incidents in a calm and professional manner.
You must therefore be physically able and emotionally prepared to undertake all aspects of the role, including completing PRICE (Protecting Rights in a Caring Environment) training and applying approved physical intervention techniques where necessary to maintain safety.
You will never be expected to face these challenges alone. We invest heavily in training, supervision, reflective practice and team support to ensure our staff feel confident, valued and supported throughout their career.
Essential Requirements
- GCSE education or equivalent.
- Experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals.
- Ability to work within a highly regulated environment.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to remain calm and effective in challenging situations.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Ability and willingness to successfully complete PRICE (physical intervention) training.
- Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification or equivalent, or a willingness to undertake
Desirable
- Level 4 Residential Childcare qualification or equivalent.
- Experience within residential childcare, secure care, education, youth justice, health or similar settings.
- Knowledge of child development, attachment and trauma-informed practice.
- Understanding of safeguarding legislation and quality standards.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Why Join Nugent?
Working with young people who have experienced trauma takes patience, resilience and compassion, but the impact you can make is life changing.
You'll join a supportive organisation that is committed to helping both young people and colleagues thrive.
We invest in our people through high-quality training, reflective supervision, career development opportunities and a culture where wellbeing matters.
Benefits
At Nugent, we value our people and offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing, development, and career progression:
- 30 days' annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing to 33 days after 3 years' service
- Life Assurance Scheme
- Corporate Medicash Scheme
- Group Personal Pension Scheme
- Blue Light Card membership and staff discounts
- Recommend a Friend Scheme
- Comprehensive induction programme and ongoing training
- Career development and progression opportunities
- Enhanced DBS check fully funded and maintained on the Update Service
Our Values – iACCORD
Everything we do is guided by our iACCORD values:
Integrity | Ambition | Courage | Compassion | Optimism | Respect | Dignity
These values shape our culture and inspire us to work with heart, purpose, and positivity every day.
How to Apply
To apply for the role of Specialist Childcare Worker, please complete our online application form. Alternatively, you can submit an electronic application form along with a supporting statement to: [email protected]
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss this opportunity or have any questions about the role, please contact our HR Team at: [email protected]
- The above position is subject to an enhanced DBS check
- Nugent actively promotes the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children
- Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
- We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity amongst our workforce and welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our people to feel respected and able to give their best in their working life.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £27,734.00-£29,547.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Do you require a Sponsorship? ( We are unable to offer Sponsorships)
- What appeals to you about supporting children and young people who may have experienced trauma or adversity?
Experience:
- Working with children: 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
