At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people overnight, providing care and encouragement in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Bradford Children and Families Trust, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and supportive policies.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, great transport links, and a chance to grow your career.
- Why this job: Transform lives and create positive memories for young people in need.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a caring attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27079 - 33097 £ per year.
Looking for a rewarding night role?
Become a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker, working 35 hours per week, and help young people feel safe, valued, and supported.
Join our Family Do you have a caring heart and a passion for making a difference?Join our dedicated team in Shipley and help transform the lives of young people aged 0-18.
In our warm, nurturing home for up to five young people, you'll provide care, support, and encouragement that builds confidence, independence, and brighter futures.
Every day is a chance to create positive memories, support personal growth, and make a lasting impact.
With great transport links to Bradford and Leeds, plus on-site parking, this is more than a job, it's a chance to change lives.
Be the difference.
Join our family today.
Bring your experience of supporting children and young people to a role where you can make a real difference.
As a Waking Nights Residential Practitioner, you'll help create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment throughout the night, building trusted relationships and supporting young people to thrive.
The children and young people in our care have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse and may face complex challenges.
Your role will be to provide reassurance, emotional support, and a secure overnight environment where they feel safe, valued, and cared for.
We're looking for compassionate, committed individuals who put children and young people at the heart of everything they do and are passionate about making a lasting difference.
This is a waking nights role, working 35 hours per week on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays.
Shifts - 21:30pm - 07:30am - Sunday - Thursday 21:45pm - 7:45am - Friday - Saturday (4 on 4 off Shift Pattern)
- What our children want
- Warm and caring personality
- Playing with them
- Watching television with us and joining in with hobbies that we enjoy
- You won't see the role as a job and will instead see it as our home that we live in
- What our children say
- "I love to go out to have a pamper day getting my nails and eyebrows done!"
- "I enjoy dedicated time with those who care for me especially going for a walk and getting a Starbuck's.
- We have a good chat about what's going well for me or anything I may need support"
- "I love going to the farm and horse riding, I had never ridden a horse before"
- "I loved the caravan as it was my first ever holiday and it was very nice. I especially loved the kids disco and playing in the arcades."
- "I love getting my bedtime stories read to me at nighttime."
- What we expect from you
- Provide a loving, safe and positive environment for our children living with us.
- Be instrumental in creating a positive future for the children living with us from a social, educational and an individual approach.
- Assist with daily activities such as getting ready for the day, including school and assisting with homework where possible.
- Thinking creatively about activities that our children can get involved with and assisting with bringing this to life.
- Being aspirational in relation to plans for children.
- Support our children with their social and emotional needs.
- Experience working with young children.
- Hold natural empathy and a caring attitude towards the children that lives with us and adopt a family mentality within the home.
- What you can expect from us
- The opportunity to give children and young people a childhood that they deserve
- Enhancements for sleep ins, waking nights, bank holiday are paid in addition to salary
- Regular supervision to support development
- Generous employer contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts
- Professional development and support to work towards a qualification in Residential Childcare
- Career progression
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement
For more information on this role please contact Emily Byron - emily. byron@bradfordcft. org. uk
- Closing Date - 23 August 2026
- Interview Date - 19th August 2026 / 20th August 2026
Please note candidates may be contacted before the closing date and invited to the above interview dates
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you'll be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children's barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
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Residential Practitioner - Waking Nights in Bradford employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Bradford Children and Families Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for both staff and the young people in their care. With a strong focus on professional development, employees are encouraged to grow and advance their skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Trust fosters a collaborative work culture that values compassion and commitment, making it an ideal place for those passionate about improving the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Practitioner - Waking Nights in Bradford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bradford Children and Families Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bradford Children and Families Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bradford Children and Families Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bradford Children and Families Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Practitioner - Waking Nights in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bradford Children and Families Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bradford Children and Families Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
