Waking Night Residential Childcare Worker
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Work Location: In person
Setting: One-bed Residential Children’s Home
About the Role
We are looking for a caring, reliable and committed Waking Night Residential Childcare Worker to join our team in a one-bed children’s home in Preston.
Our home provides a warm, safe and nurturing environment for a young person who needs consistency, stability and trusted adults around them.
As a Waking Night Worker, you will remain awake and alert throughout the night, providing support and supervision while ensuring the home remains safe, calm and welcoming.
This is a small home where relationships really matter. You will play an important role in ensuring the young person feels safe and secure overnight, while supporting their individual routines and needs.
We believe in putting children first and ensuring every young person is treated with Safety, Kindness, Dignity and Ambition in everything we do.
About You
You will be a calm, patient and responsible person who understands that working in residential childcare is about much more than supervision.
You will be someone who can build positive relationships, maintain professional boundaries and respond appropriately to the individual needs of the young person.
You will need to be comfortable working independently during the night, remaining alert and able to respond appropriately should the young person require support.
Previous experience working in residential childcare is preferred, but we will consider candidates with relevant experience working with children and young people.
Key Responsibilities
- Remain awake, alert and attentive throughout the night.
- Maintain the safety and wellbeing of the young person overnight.
- Carry out agreed checks and observations in a respectful way, protecting the young person’s dignity, privacy and sleep wherever possible.
- Follow individual care plans, risk assessments and agreed routines.
- Respond calmly and appropriately if the young person wakes, becomes unsettled or requires support.
- Provide reassurance and appropriate support when needed.
- Escalate any concerns, incidents or safeguarding matters to the appropriate member of the management team.
- Complete clear, accurate and time-stamped records throughout the night.
- Record any concerns, incidents, support provided and information required for the morning handover.
- Maintain a calm, clean and safe environment within the home.
- Complete practical overnight tasks where required and prepare the home for the following day.
- Build positive and respectful relationships with the young person.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and provide a thorough handover at the end of each shift.
- Work in accordance with the home's policies, procedures and individual care plans.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
You will be expected to:
- Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Follow the home's safeguarding procedures and reporting arrangements.
- Raise concerns promptly with management.
- Maintain professional boundaries and always act in the best interests of the young person.
- Promote a culture where children feel safe, listened to and respected.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
Training & Development
You will receive a full induction and ongoing training to support you in your role.
You will be expected to participate in supervision, training and ongoing professional development.
Experience & Qualifications
- Previous experience in residential childcare is preferred.
- Experience of working with children or young people is desirable.
- A caring, patient and reliable approach is essential.
- Good communication and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to work independently and remain alert throughout waking night shifts.
- Ability to respond calmly and appropriately to situations that may arise overnight.
- Willingness to complete relevant training and qualifications.
- Enhanced DBS check will be required.
Why Join Us?
If you are someone who genuinely cares about helping children feel safe, valued and supported, and you are looking for a role where the care you provide really matters, we would love to hear from you.
Work Location: In person – Preston, Lancashire
Pay: £15.50 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
