Youth Residential Support Worker (Waking Nights) in Crook

Children’s Residential Support Worker - Waking Nights

Crook, County Durham | Full Time | Waking Nights | £29,160 per annum

Make the night feel safe.

For some young people, night-time is the hardest part of the day. Anxiety, uncertainty and difficult past experiences can feel bigger in the quiet hours. As a Waking Night Support Worker, you’ll be a calm, reliable presence for the children and young people in our care, helping them feel safe, settled and listened to, as part of a close team.

About the role

Karoo Group runs a children’s home in Crook, caring for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, many of whom have experienced trauma. You will help maintain a safe, calm and homely environment overnight, respond to each young person’s individual needs, and keep the home safe and secure, always working within our policies and the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.

Key responsibilities

• Support children and young people through the night, providing reassurance and emotional support while maintaining professional boundaries
• Carry out welfare checks in line with individual care plans, risk assessments and home procedures
• Respond promptly and appropriately to incidents, emergencies and safeguarding concerns, following our safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures
• Act as a positive role model, promoting the dignity, rights and wellbeing of every child
• Complete accurate, timely records, incident reports and handovers
• Carry out security and fire safety checks
• Carry out light household tasks to keep the home clean, safe and welcoming
• Support morning routines and hand over effectively to the day team
• Work within restraint-reduction and positive behaviour support approaches
• Attend supervision, team meetings and training

About you

Essential:

• Relevant experience of working with children or young people in a residential, care or support setting, for example children’s residential care, youth work, social care, SEN/SEMH education, behaviour support, foster care or supported accommodation (paid or voluntary)
• A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Clear communication skills, both verbal and written, for accurate records and handovers
• The ability to use good judgement while working independently overnight
• Willingness to work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) within two years of starting, if you don’t already hold it (or an equivalent qualification)

Personal qualities: calm, patient, resilient and compassionate, with a team-first attitude and respect for professional boundaries.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting children and young people with SEMH needs or trauma
• Previous experience of night working
• Physical intervention or de-escalation training

Hours and working pattern

• Full-time waking night shifts, working 4 nights on and 4 nights off (an average of 35 hours per week)
• Shift times: 21:30 to 07:30
• The rota includes weekends and bank holidays
• You must stay awake and alert for the full shift. Sleeping on shift is not permitted
• Some flexibility may be needed to meet the needs of the home, with notice given wherever possible

What we offer

• £29,160 per annum
• Paid induction and ongoing training, including support to complete your Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare
• Regular supervision and a supportive, inclusive team
• Career progression within residential childcare
• Workplace pension
• Enhanced DBS check paid for by Karoo Group
• The chance to make a real, lasting difference in a young person’s life

Why this role matters

You might be the person who helps a frightened child settle. The one who listens when they need to talk. The one who notices the small changes others might miss. Or simply the person who is there, consistently, calmly and without judgement.

If you have the compassion, patience and commitment to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Our commitment to safeguarding and safer recruitment

Karoo Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows safer recruitment practice and the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. All offers of employment are conditional on:

• An Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List check, plus any overseas criminal record checks where relevant
• Proof of identity and the right to work in the UK
• Two satisfactory references, including one from your most recent employer
• A full employment history, with any gaps in employment explainedVerification of relevant qualifications
• Satisfactory health and fitness information for the role
• Confirmation of reasons for leaving any previous roles working with children or vulnerable adults

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. You will be required to disclose all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings, including spent ones, unless they are protected under the DBS filtering rules. Shortlisted candidates will be asked about any criminal record. Any gaps in employment or concerns will be discussed at interview. We may carry out online searches as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants must be 18 or over.