At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents through the night, ensuring their safety and comfort.
- Company: Family-run care home with a unique approach to care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, career progression, free parking, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Join a dedicated nights team with excellent support and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just a caring attitude and reliability.
The predicted salary is between 10.8 - 13.2 £ per hour.
Oaklands Rest Home is located in Marchwood, on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire. Night shifts run for 12 hours, so please make sure you can reliably travel to and from us at unsociable hours before applying. Free on-site parking is available.
About Oaklands Rest Home
Oaklands Rest Home is a family-run care home on the edge of the New Forest. We are national award winners for four consecutive years — Caring UK Awards, Dementia Care Awards and Social Care Stars — and we are known for doing things differently. We support residents with residential, dementia, respite and reablement care. Our vision is simple: Our Specialty is You. That means understanding every resident as an individual and building care around the small details that matter to them — including through the night. We invest seriously in our team. Many staff have been with us for years and we actively support progression from Care Assistant to Senior and beyond.
Role at a Glance
- Location: Marchwood, New Forest, Hampshire (free parking on site)
- Shift Pattern: 12-hour night shifts — full time and part time positions available
- Team Structure: Dedicated nights team — you will not be expected to rotate onto day shifts
- Supervision: A Senior Care Lead is awake and on site throughout every night shift
- DBS Check Required — funded by Oaklands
What Makes Nights at Oaklands Different
- A dedicated nights team
- Acoustic monitoring through Ally
- Senior support on every shift
- Autonomy with accountability
The Role
As a Night Care Assistant at Oaklands, your role is to ensure residents are safe, comfortable and well cared for through the night. For many residents — particularly those living with dementia — the night hours can bring anxiety, disorientation and distress. Your calm, patient presence matters enormously. You will monitor resident wellbeing using Ally acoustic monitoring, respond to those who need support, assist with personal care where required, complete care records accurately, and hand over clearly to the day team at the end of your shift.
What You Will Do
- Monitor resident wellbeing through Ally acoustic monitoring and regular visual checks
- Respond promptly and calmly to residents who are awake, distressed or in need
- Support residents living with dementia with patience, reassurance and familiar routines
- Recognise that night-time distress and confusion are often expressions of need, not behaviour to manage
- Escalate promptly to the Senior Care Lead when a resident appears unwell or at risk
Personal Care and Comfort
- Assist residents with personal care needs during the night in a dignified, unhurried way
- Support residents with repositioning, continence care and comfort as required
- Ensure residents are settled, comfortable and their environment is calm and safe
- Follow individual care plans and adapt your approach to each person's preferences and routines
Safety and Safeguarding
- Maintain a safe, clean and secure environment throughout the night
- Follow safeguarding, infection control and health and safety procedures at all times
- Report any concerns about a resident's safety or wellbeing immediately
- Use moving and handling equipment correctly and safely
Records and Handover
- Complete care records accurately and in a timely way using Oaklands' digital care system
- Document any incidents, changes or concerns clearly during your shift
- Deliver a clear, thorough handover to the day team at the end of your shift
- Maintain confidentiality in all records and communications
What We Are Looking For
No formal qualifications are required. What matters is the right attitude, the right temperament and a genuine commitment to the people in our care.
Essential
- Genuine patience and calm — especially when residents are distressed or confused at night
- Honest and willing to speak up when something is not right
- Reliability and consistency — your colleagues and residents depend on you turning up
- Basic English reading and writing to complete digital care records accurately
- Comfortable working with a degree of autonomy and using your own judgement
- Able to follow care plans, instructions and safe working practices
- Willing and able to support residents with personal care
- Comfortable using digital systems — full training provided
- Good observation skills — able to notice and report changes in a resident's condition
- Committed to safeguarding and the dignity of every resident
Desirable (not essential)
- Previous experience in a care home or health and social care setting
- Previous night shift experience in a care or health setting
- Experience supporting people living with dementia
- Moving and handling or first aid training
- Care Certificate or NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care
This Role Is Not Right for Everyone
Night shifts are not for everyone and we would rather be honest about that now. Please do not apply if you:
- Struggle to stay alert and focused during long night shifts
- Become easily frustrated by repetition, confusion or distress
- Are uncomfortable supporting residents with personal care
- Have a pattern of unreliable attendance — night shifts cannot be covered at short notice
- Are unwilling to complete digital care records during your shift
- Prefer constant supervision and find it difficult to use your own judgement
- See care work as a temporary job rather than a responsibility to vulnerable people
What We Offer
The same comprehensive benefits package as our day team — because nights deserve the same investment.
- Competitive pay with annual pay reviews
- Salary enhancement on qualification achievement
- 28 days holiday (pro rata for part time)
- Paid online learning time
- Enhanced bank holiday rates
- Pension contributions
- Length of service holiday bonus
- Refer a friend bonus scheme
- Free uniform
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking on site
- Annual Staff Awards Programme
- Free DBS check
- Genuine career progression pathway
- Funded training and NVQ qualifications
- Study support for further qualifications
What Good Looks Like in This Role
- Residents sleep safely and are responded to quickly and calmly when they need support
- Distress or confusion at night is met with patience, reassurance and dignity — never frustration
- Ally monitoring is used attentively and any concerns are acted on promptly
- Care records are accurate, completed during the shift and ready for handover
- The day team receives a clear, honest handover with nothing left out
- Colleagues can rely on you absolutely — night shifts cannot absorb last-minute gaps
- You elevate to the Senior Care Lead without hesitation when something concerns you
- You contribute to a calm, safe and settled atmosphere through the night
Training and Development
Every Night Care Assistant at Oaklands receives the same structured induction, training and development as our day team. We fund nationally recognised qualifications and support genuine progression — the hours you work do not limit the opportunities available to you.
- Bespoke nationally recognised induction programme
- Full training on Ally acoustic monitoring — no prior experience needed
- Mandatory and role-specific training included
- Study support and funding for NVQ / Diploma in Health and Social Care
- Salary enhancement on qualification achievement
- Supervision and appraisal throughout your time with us
- Genuine progression pathway from Night Care Assistant to Senior and beyond
Care Assistant Nights in Hedge End employer: Marlacourt Limited
At Oaklands Rest Home, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a nurturing environment where compassion and reliability are at the heart of our care. Located in the picturesque New Forest, our supportive team culture fosters personal and professional growth, with opportunities for progression within the care team. We value our staff by providing funded DBS checks and flexible working hours, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of our residents while enjoying a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Assistant Nights in Hedge End
✨Tap into Local Healthcare Networks
Getting involved with local healthcare communities is a game-changer for nursing roles. Join nursing associations or attend local events and workshops where you can meet fellow professionals and potential employers. It’s all about building those connections – your next full-time gig could be just a chat away!
✨Showcase Your Skills in Real-Life Settings
Consider volunteering at clinics or hospitals if you can squeeze in some time. Not only does this help you gain practical experience, but it also shows your commitment to patient care. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to network and potentially land a full-time role at a facility you enjoy!
✨Use LinkedIn like a Pro
Make your LinkedIn profile pop by highlighting your nursing skills prominently. Share articles, insights, or case studies that demonstrate your knowledge in patient care. Engaging with content in nursing forums can also put you on the radar of recruiters looking for full-time talent like you!
✨Direct Applications are Key!
When you spot a role that excites you, don't hold back – apply directly through our website! Tailor your application to show off how your specific experiences align with the needs at Marlacourt Limited for the Care Assistant Nights role. Companies appreciate candidates who take initiative and show genuine interest!
We think you need these skills to ace Care Assistant Nights in Hedge End
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Qualifications:When applying for a full-time nursing role with Marlacourt Limited, it's crucial to highlight your nursing qualifications. Make sure to include any relevant certifications, such as your NMC registration and any specialisations. List them front and centre on your CV so we can see your expertise at a glance!
Craft a Compassionate Cover Letter:Your cover letter is the perfect place to express your passion for patient care. Talk about your experiences, how you handle challenging situations, and your approach to teamwork. This gives us insight not just into your skills but also into your caring nature, which is essential in nursing.
Emphasise Soft Skills:In nursing, technical skills are important, but we're also keen on soft skills. Make sure to highlight your communication abilities, empathy, and problem-solving skills. These attributes are often just as critical in delivering exceptional patient care and will help differentiate you from other candidates.
Tailor Your Experience to Patient Care:When detailing your experience, be specific about your direct patient care roles. Focus on the impact you’ve made on your patients’ lives—mention specific tasks, challenges you've overcame, or improvements you’ve contributed to. This helps us visualise you in action at Marlacourt Limited, and how you can make a difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marlacourt Limited
✨Brush Up on Clinical Scenarios
In nursing, you might face questions around patient scenarios, so sharpen your clinical judgment skills. Think through common cases—like managing a patient with specific needs or handling emergencies—and be ready to articulate your approach confidently.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
Beyond technical skills, nursing is all about communication and empathy. Prepare to share examples from your experiences that highlight your ability to connect with patients and work effectively in a team, as this is crucial for a full-time role at Marlacourt Limited.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Healthcare Regulations
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest healthcare regulations and policies relevant to your role. This knowledge not only shows your commitment to patient safety but also signals that you're proactive and engaged—qualities that full-time employers like Marlacourt Limited appreciate.
✨Ask AboutCareer Development Opportunities
Since this is a full-time position, show your ambition by asking how Marlacourt Limited supports growth and development. Inquire about ongoing training, mentorship programmes, or opportunities to specialise in particular areas, as this illustrates your long-term interest in nursing.
