Job Title: Waking Night Support Worker- Young People 16-17
Salary: (Waking Night Support Worker): £29,000–£31,000 per annum (£14.87–£15.90 per hour)
Hours:
- Full Time Permanent – 37.5 hours per week
- Bank Hours Available
Part-Time Roles Available: 25 hours per week
Part-time positions consist of:
- One day shift per week
- One waking night shift per week
Location: Croxdale, County Durham
Responsible To: Under 18's Accommodation Lead
Travel: Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle desirable
Closing Date: 12 noon, 26th June 2026
Safer Recruitment
This role involves working with young people aged 16 and 17 and is subject to safer recruitment checks. Appointment will be conditional on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including identity, right to work, references, and an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List check where the role is eligible. No successful candidate will start work on site until all required checks have been completed and reviewed.
Moving On Durham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act exceptions, applicants should only disclose information required under DBS filtering rules.
About Moving On Durham
Moving On Durham is the leading independent provider of supported accommodation for young people aged 16–25 in County Durham.
For over 35 years, we have supported young people to move from crisis and uncertainty to safety, confidence and independence.
Our vision is simple:
"Young people can live independently and sustainably in the community."
Our mission is to provide:
"A Safe Home and a Fresh Start."
About Thornton House
We are excited to be recruiting a brand-new team for Thornton House, our new 8-bed supported accommodation service for young people aged 16–17 opening in Croxdale in September 2026.
Thornton House is a supported accommodation service, not a children’s home. The role is focused on helping young people build independence, safety, confidence, routines and tenancy-readiness, while working within clear safeguarding, support planning, recording and professional boundary expectations.
This is a unique opportunity to join a new service from the very beginning and play a key role in creating a positive culture, building meaningful relationships and supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes.
You will be supported by an Under 18's Accommodation Lead and Registered Service Manager, helping ensure the service operates in line with the Supported Accommodation Regulations and Quality Standards.
Why Work for Moving On Durham?
We are committed to investing in our staff and providing opportunities for professional growth and development.
We offer:
- Comprehensive induction programme
- Ongoing training and development
- Reflective supervision
- Safeguarding and specialist training
- Career progression opportunities
- Employee wellbeing support
- A supportive and experienced management team
- The opportunity to help shape a brand-new service
Key Responsibilities
Young Person Support
- Build positive, professional and trusting relationships with young people.
- Promote young people's safety, wellbeing, independence and personal development.
- Support young people to achieve goals identified within their support plans.
- Encourage confidence, resilience and positive decision-making.
Safeguarding
- Safeguard young people and promote their welfare at all times.
- Recognise, record and report safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Respond to concerns relating to exploitation, missing from home episodes, self-harm, substance misuse and emotional wellbeing.
- Contribute to risk assessments, safety planning and safeguarding interventions.
Independence & Life Skills
- Support young people to develop practical life skills including:
- Budgeting and money management
- Cooking and nutrition
- Cleaning and household responsibilities
- Laundry and personal care
- Travel training and public transport use
- Tenancy readiness and independent living skills
Keywork Responsibilities
- Act as Keyworker for allocated young people.
- Complete regular keywork sessions.
- Support young people to identify and achieve personal goals.
- Contribute to support planning, reviews and outcome monitoring.
Education, Employment & Training
- Encourage engagement in education, training and employment opportunities.
- Support attendance at appointments, interviews and learning opportunities.
- Promote aspirations and positive future outcomes.
Health & Wellbeing
- Promote physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
- Support young people to access healthcare services and specialist support.
- Encourage healthy lifestyles and positive routines.
Recording & Administration
- Complete daily logs, incident reports, keywork records and safeguarding documentation.
- Maintain accurate and professional records.
- Contribute to reports, reviews and multi-agency meetings.
Partnership Working
- Work collaboratively with:
- Social workers
- Personal advisers
- Education providers
- Health professionals
- Youth justice services
- Other relevant agencies
- Attend meetings and contribute professionally to multi-agency planning.
House Responsibilities
- Support the smooth day-to-day running of Thornton House.
- Promote a safe, welcoming and homely environment.
- Undertake health and safety checks as required.
- Support emergency procedures and fire safety arrangements.
Waking Night Responsibilities (Night Staff)
- Maintain the safety and security of the building throughout the night.
- Undertake welfare and safety checks in line with risk assessments.
- Respond to emergencies and safeguarding concerns.
- Complete night reports and detailed handovers.
- Maintain vigilance and professional boundaries throughout the shift.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Experience supporting young people within supported accommodation, residential care, youth homelessness services or similar environments.
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
- Willingness to undertake relevant training and professional development.
- Experience of working with young people, vulnerable individuals or families.
- Experience of providing support, guidance or mentoring.
- Understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles.
- Understanding of the challenges faced by young people aged 16–17.
- Ability to build positive and trusting relationships.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to produce clear, factual, timely records that support safeguarding, support planning and management oversight
- Ability to promote independence whilst maintaining safeguarding responsibilities.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
- Ability to maintain safe, warm and professional boundaries with young people aged 16-17
Desirable
- Level 3 qualification in a relevant field such as:
- Children and Young People's Workforce
- Residential Childcare
- Health and Social Care
- Youth Work
- Social Care
- Education
- Safeguarding Training
- First Aid Qualification
- Mental Health Awareness Training
- Understanding of adverse childhood experiences and ACE informed relational support
- Awareness of Ofsted- regulated supported accommodation and the importance of the Protection, Accommodation and Support Quality Standards
- Knowledge of local safeguarding procedures
- Knowledge of housing, benefits and tenancy readiness
- Experience of waking night support, safeguarding during out-of-hours periods or supported accommodation environments
Ready to Apply?
If you are passionate about helping young people develop independence, confidence and positive futures, we would love to hear from you.
At Thornton House, every member of staff plays an important role in providing:
"A Safe Home and a Fresh Start."
Pay: £14.87-£15.90 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
