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- Tasks: Support young people through the night, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Company: Harpury House, a welcoming residential home in Bedford.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, attendance bonus, free meals, and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working nights.
- Qualifications: Compassionate personality, emotional resilience, and a desire to learn.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 27619 - 27619 £ per year.
Are you a night owl with a heart of gold? Do you thrive in calm but purposeful environments? Have you worked in hospitality, retail, security, customer service, or other roles where staying alert and dependable is key? Do you have the emotional resilience to support young people through the night, ensuring their safety and well-being? If so, you don't need prior experience in care - just the right mindset. We provide full training, qualifications, and ongoing support to help you build a meaningful career in residential childcare.
As a Waking Night Support Worker, you'll be a vital guardian during the quiet hours, ensuring the children and young people feel safe, supported, and cared for. Your role will be steady, responsible, and deeply rewarding. You will be responsible for:
- Monitoring the home and conducting regular safety checks
- Supporting young people who may wake during the night, offering calm reassurance and practical help
- Managing and recording incidents with professionalism and empathy
- Assisting with bedtime and morning routines, ensuring smooth transitions between night and day
- Maintaining accurate records and providing thorough handovers to the day team
- Creating a safe, nurturing, and stable environment throughout the night
Harpury House is a welcoming five-bedded residential home located in Bedford. Opened in 2010, the home provides accommodation for up to five young people, both male and female, and benefits from effective care planning supported by a skilled and dedicated staff team. Situated within easy reach of local amenities including shops, banks, a post office, cafés, health centre, and reliable bus services, Harpury House offers a convenient and community-focused setting. The home also falls within the Bedford Secondary School catchment area and is close to Bedford College, ensuring strong educational links for the young people.
We welcome applicants from all walks of life. What matters most is your attitude, emotional intelligence, and willingness to learn. Ideal candidates will have:
- A strong, compassionate personality
- Emotional resilience and the ability to stay calm under pressure
- Flexibility to work night shifts, including weekends and bank holidays
- Problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset
- Life experience from previous careers or personal challenges
- A desire to grow - full training and a funded Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare provided
- A full UK driver's licence
Benefits:
- £27,619 per annum (£13.28 per hour)
- £1,400 annual attendance bonus
- Sleep-in allowance (£44.56 per shift) and overtime opportunities
- 3 weeks of paid induction training
- Funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
- Structured career progression into senior roles
- 28 days annual leave (increasing with service) + option to purchase 5 extra days
- Free meals during shifts
- Employee benefits including discounts on shopping, cinema, and holidays
- 24/7 well-being support, including free counselling sessions
- Christmas voucher of up to £200, based on length of service and contracted hours
- Recognition awards for long service and excellent attendance
- Cycle to Work scheme and Unum healthcare support
- Subsidised days out with young people, helping create lasting memories
Important Information: We do not offer sponsorship or support with right to work. All applicants must have their own right to work in the UK, permitting them to work 40 hours per week. All successful candidates will undergo pre-employment safer recruitment checks in line with Ofsted and Homes2Inspire policies. Applications are reviewed regularly, and interviews may be held before the advertised closing date.
Waking Nights Support Worker - Harpury House employer: Shaw Trust
Contact Detail:
Shaw Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Waking Nights Support Worker - Harpury House
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, or even former colleagues who might know someone at Harpury House. A personal connection can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to emotional resilience and support roles. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the Waking Nights Support Worker position – we want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for helping young people during the interview. Share why you’re drawn to this role and how your life experiences have shaped your desire to support others. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Harpury House team.
We think you need these skills to ace Waking Nights Support Worker - Harpury House
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about supporting young people.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you haven't worked in care before, think about your past jobs in hospitality, retail, or customer service. Show us how those skills can translate into being a fantastic Waking Nights Support Worker!
Show Your Emotional Resilience: We’re looking for candidates who can stay calm under pressure. Share examples of times when you've handled challenging situations with empathy and professionalism – it’ll really make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you started on this exciting journey with us at Harpury House!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shaw Trust
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand what being a Waking Nights Support Worker entails. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities like monitoring safety and supporting young people during the night. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
Emphasise your emotional resilience and ability to stay calm under pressure. Think of examples from your past experiences in hospitality, retail, or customer service where you had to manage difficult situations. This will demonstrate your suitability for supporting young people through the night.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about Harpury House and its approach to care. This shows that you’re engaged and eager to learn more about the environment you'll be working in. It also gives you a chance to assess if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Remember, they’re looking for the right mindset and attitude, not just experience. Be genuine and let your compassionate personality shine through. Share your motivations for wanting to work in residential childcare, and don’t hesitate to talk about your life experiences that have shaped your desire to support young people.
