At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities during the night, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Shaftesbury, a charity dedicated to empowering children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous holiday, training opportunities, and a £500 welcome bonus.
- Other info: Join a team that values friendship, independence, and community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a fun, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent; passion for child-centred care.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 13 £ per hour.
Are you a passionate leader ready to make a real difference? At Shaftesbury we are happy to introduce our new Children’s Service, Bradbury House. We are recruiting for a dedicated Waking Night Support Worker to help shape a supportive, inclusive environment where children can truly thrive.
About Us
At Shaftesbury, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full, flourishing life. Guided by our core values—Open, Enabling, Inclusive and Courageous—we provide outstanding support across child and adult social care, and education. Bradbury House is a purpose built children’s home which provides overnight short breaks for children with disabilities. The home provides a safe, nurturing, caring and fun home away from home for children and young people aged 0-17 years old. Our caring staff team provide high quality support to children who have a range of disabilities including learning, physical, and sensory disabilities, autism, developmental conditions, and health conditions. The children we care for need support with personal care, mobility, medication, communication, getting out and about and managing behaviour. Bradbury House provides invaluable support to children, young people and their families. We are a warm, fun and friendly home and we aim to make a real, positive difference to the local community, the children and young people we support and their families. Bradbury House operates 5 nights per week, Wednesday to Sunday, all year round. Up to 5 children can stay per night. Usual staffing levels are 6 day time staff, 1 sleep in staff and 2 waking night staff. During the day there is usually an additional senior member of staff on duty.
The Role
As a Waking Night Support Worker, you’ll play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring high-quality care and support for the people we support. Key responsibilities include:
- To provide a high standard of day to day care to the children and young people we support
- To create a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for children and young people to grow and develop, ensuring their wellbeing through personalised care, guidance and advocacy
- To provide short break support to children and young people with disabilities, consistent with regulatory requirements and agreed policies and procedures
- To work inline with Shaftesbury’s core values
What We’re Looking For
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent and Level 5 Diploma to be achieved within 2 years of taking up the post
- Passion for delivering outstanding, child-centred care
- Commitment to our values and making a difference
- Clear English writing skills
- Good communication skills
- Basic computer and technology skills
- Experience of working in a care setting or of working with children with disabilities
Additional requirements:
- Participation in on-call rota
- Weekend working required
What You’ll Get in Return
At Shaftesbury, we know our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a fantastic benefits package:
- Birthday Off (taken from annual leave)
- £500 welcome bonus (T&Cs apply)
- Recognition & Rewards – including vouchers up to £50
- Ofsted Incentives – up to £50 depending on rating
- Comprehensive Training & Development
- Generous Holiday – 25 days + bank holidays (rising to 28 days + BH)
- Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
Why Work With Us?
At Shaftesbury, we believe it’s the little things that add up to a life well lived—friendship, independence, opportunity, and community. We’re committed to helping the children we support participate, contribute, and feel valued, while creating a workplace where you can grow and succeed.
Our Commitment
Shaftesbury is the disability charity that’s committed to enabling children, young people and adults to live a life that adds up for them. What makes life liveable is never down to just one thing - it’s the sum of many things. From friendship to fun; from companionship to community; from a great chat to a challenge overcome, it all adds up – to Shaftesbury. Through a wide range of disability care, special education, and rehabilitation services we promote inclusion and wellbeing for all. Together, we work to see people take part, contribute and be valued. We put the elements in place that all add up to connected lives.
Shaftesbury is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced DBS/Access NI check. Shaftesbury is committed to the Disability Confident Scheme and to equal opportunities therefore we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.
Ready to lead, inspire, and make a difference every day? Apply now and be part of something meaningful at Shaftesbury Bradbury House.
Waking Night Enabling Support Worker - Bradbury House, Shrewsbury - £13.45 per hour employer: Shaftesbury
At Shaftesbury, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for both our staff and the children we care for. Located in Shrewsbury, Bradbury House offers a warm and friendly work culture, comprehensive training and development opportunities, and a generous benefits package including a £500 welcome bonus and 25 days of holiday. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of children with disabilities while enjoying a fulfilling career that values your contributions and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waking Night Enabling Support Worker - Bradbury House, Shrewsbury - £13.45 per hour
✨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 Shaftesbury.
✨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 Shaftesbury!
✨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 Shaftesbury, 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 Shaftesbury 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 Waking Night Enabling Support Worker - Bradbury House, Shrewsbury - £13.45 per hour
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 Shaftesbury:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Shaftesbury! 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 Shaftesbury
✨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.
