At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a night support service for vulnerable young people, helping them build independence.
- Company: Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity dedicated to ending youth homelessness by 2037.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, healthcare cash plan, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion, with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable youth, strong communication skills, and a passion for social justice.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 39500 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £38,000 - £39,500 per annum
Closing Date: 16th June 2026
Interviews will be held w/c 22nd & 29th June 2026
Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for a talented Waking Night Manager to join our London Accommodation Pathfinder service based in Barnet.
About us
We support vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. Centrepoint provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills in order to get them back into education, training and employment. We want to end youth homelessness by 2037. Together with our partners, we support over 15,000 young people each year.
Service Information
The London Accommodation Pathfinder (LAP) is a London wide pilot providing supported accommodation as an alternative to youth custody for children, primarily boys aged 16–17. The programme aims to reduce the use of custody, improve outcomes, and address racial disproportionality within the youth justice system, particularly for Black and Mixed heritage children. The service provides intensive, tailored support to help children move from pro‑offending to pro‑social identity and behaviours.
About you
- The ability to create and promote a vibrant culture with an uncompromising commitment to excellence and fully integrated support and development services, reflecting the needs of those accessing the service.
- The ability to lead the night staff team to engage young people in building independence skills, deliver activities and safeguard young people so that they comply with their court orders.
- Effective communicator with natural ability to engage and build productive relationships with vulnerable young people.
- Passionate about enabling vulnerable young people to lead positive and progressive lives.
- Excellent at report writing and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
- Flexible, always adapting to changing needs and ensuring effective team working.
- Engaging, committed to self-development by engaging with training and continuous learning.
- Proactive, always looking for creative ways of working and keeping young people engaged.
We are particularly interested in receiving applicants with lived experience and practitioners from diverse ethnic backgrounds to deliver identity‑focused and culturally competent support within the LAP.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the night support service within a small, supported housing project, that has ministerial oversight, to 16/17 year-olds as an alternative to custodial sentences.
- Working on a rota from late evenings and overnight, you will engage, support and safeguard 16/17 year-olds who are involved in the criminal justice system.
- Ensuring that key professionals, including Social Workers and Youth Justice practitioners are up to date with young peoples’ progress, safeguarding needs and risk management plans.
- Creating and delivering innovative techniques to engage young people and enable them to adhere to their court orders.
- Leading a tight, reflective and well‑coordinated integrated staff team.
- Generating positive outcomes with the young people to create a body of evidence that will be used to change the criminal justice’s response to 16/17 who offend.
Why join Centrepoint?
In return for your efforts you’ll receive a competitive salary, excellent training and development, and a host of staff benefits including:
- 25 days of annual leave per year, rising by one day per year to a maximum of 27 days.
- Healthcare cash plan (Cover the costs of a wide range of medical treatment including Dental, Optical, Complementary and Alternative therapies).
- Private Medical insurance.
- Income protection.
- Employer pension contributions of 5%.
- Access to Cycle 2 Work loan scheme.
- An interest‑free travel loan.
At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness, and we are just as committed to fairness and equality within Centrepoint itself. We are passionate about ensuring all of our colleagues are made to feel included in the work we do and that we value the rich diversity within the organization. We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, belief in any religion and none, gender identity, ethnic origin, class, sexuality, nationality, appearance, unrelated criminal activities, disability, responsibility for dependents, part time or shift workers, being HIV positive or living with AIDS, lived experience of homelessness or using young people’s services and any other matter which causes a person to be treated with injustice. Centrepoint’s policy is to recruit, employ and promote people on the basis of their suitability for the work to be performed, and to this end, our aim is to ensure that all applicants, employees and volunteers receive equal treatment.
Waking Night Manager employer: Centrepoint
Centrepoint is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending youth homelessness, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and personal growth. As a Waking Night Manager in Barnet, you will benefit from competitive salaries, extensive training opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and healthcare support, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waking Night Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Centrepoint and its mission to end youth homelessness by 2037. This will help you connect your passion for supporting vulnerable young people with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the role and the culture at Centrepoint, which can really help you stand out in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've led a team or engaged with young people. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Centrepoint team.
We think you need these skills to ace Waking Night Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting vulnerable young people shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a difference and how you can contribute to our mission at Centrepoint.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Waking Night Manager role. Highlight your leadership abilities and any relevant experience working with young people in challenging situations.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to communicate your ideas effectively. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrepoint
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Centrepoint's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to ending youth homelessness by 2037. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have, especially if it involves working with vulnerable young people or in a similar support role. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've engaged with young people and helped them build independence skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think about past experiences where you had to adapt quickly or creatively engage young people, and be prepared to share those stories.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.