At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate overnight care for children with complex needs in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join St Elizabeth's, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and young people.
- Benefits: Paid training, career progression, 25 days holiday, and discounts on gym memberships.
- Other info: Flexible roles across services with excellent support and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working night shifts in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Warmth, patience, and a passion for caring; experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 28105 - 29186 £ per year.
Location: St Elizabeth's Centre, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
Shift Pattern: 4 nights on, 4 nights off | 44 hours per week | 8:15pm – 7:15am
Salary: £28,105- £29,186 per annum (dependent on experience)
Support lives. Create calm. Make nights matter. At St Elizabeth's, we believe that care doesn't stop when the day does. Set within 60 acres of tranquil Hertfordshire countryside, our charity supports children, young people, and adults with complex needs, including epilepsy and learning disabilities — and our night teams are essential to keeping every person safe, supported, and comforted through the night.
About the Role
As a Night Care Assistant in our Children's Home, you'll be part of a close-knit team ensuring our young residents (ages 5–19) are cared for in a safe, calm, and nurturing environment overnight. From administering personal care with dignity, to providing emotional reassurance, monitoring wellbeing, and keeping the home tidy and peaceful — your presence will help each child feel secure and supported while they sleep. This is a rewarding and important role, ideal for someone compassionate, dependable, and ready to make a difference during the quieter hours.
What You'll Do
- Provide person-centred care during the night, including personal care and health monitoring.
- Respond calmly and effectively to any incidents, illness, or distress.
- Support with cleaning, laundry, and general housekeeping duties to maintain a safe, welcoming environment.
- Maintain accurate written records and complete night-time care logs.
- Work as part of a professional team including education, healthcare, and therapy colleagues.
- Follow individual care plans, health and behaviour support plans, and safeguarding procedures.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with warmth, patience, and a genuine passion for supporting children with complex needs. Experience in care is welcomed but not essential — we'll provide full training.
Essential:
- A kind, calm, and professional approach
- Comfortable working night shifts on a rotating pattern
- Willing to complete: Care Certificate within 6 months. Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (unless already held)
- Ability to remain alert, responsive, and responsible throughout night hours.
- Able to provide personal care with dignity.
- Good written and verbal communication skills
Desirable:
- Experience working with children or young people in care or education settings.
- GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)
- A valid UK driving licence.
- Understanding of epilepsy, autism, and complex needs.
Why Work Nights at St Elizabeth's?
- Meaningful work supporting vulnerable children overnight.
- Paid-for qualifications, training, and development.
- Regular supervision and peer support
- Subsidised transport (from Harlow, Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Stanstead Abbotts)
- Free on-site parking
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Discounted on-site gym membership.
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Real career progression opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free DBS
Important Information
Please note that our location is not on a public transport route, so access to your own vehicle or reliable transport is essential. If successful, you may be placed in either our Children's Residential Services or Adult Supported Living Services, and flexibility across services is expected.
Apply Now
Visit our website to apply. Interviews are held on a rolling basis, so apply early to avoid missing out. For questions, adjustments or access needs during the process, please contact the Recruitment team.
Inclusion applying if barred from such activity is a criminal offence. Live life to the full. Help others do the same. Join us at St Elizabeth's.
Night Care Assistant employer: St Elizabeth`s Centre
St Elizabeth's Centre is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals while fostering a supportive and values-driven work culture. Located in the picturesque Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that prioritises professional growth, with ample opportunities for coaching and mentoring within a dedicated HR team. Join us to be part of a charity that not only values your contributions but also invests in your development and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Night Care Assistant
✨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 St Elizabeth`s Centre.
✨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 St Elizabeth`s Centre!
✨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 St Elizabeth`s Centre, 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 St Elizabeth`s Centre 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 Night Care Assistant
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 St Elizabeth`s Centre:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Elizabeth`s Centre! 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 St Elizabeth`s Centre
✨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.
