Waking Night – Children's Residential Home

Job Title: Waking Night Support Worker – Children's Residential Home (Learning Disabilities & Complex Needs)

Location: Hucknall

Hours: 37 hours per week, averaged over the month (including weekends and bank holidays). Night shifts typically (9pm to 7am) however subject to change to meet the needs of the home.

Contract: Permanent / Fulltime

Salary: 22,000-28,000 depending on experience.

Additional benefits: *Opportunity for career progression *Pay progression structure *Additional sleepover rate not included in salary *Potential overtime hours *28 days annual leave per year *Meals provided *Company pension scheme * Birthday Bonus day off.

Reports to: Team Leaders /Deputy Manager / Registered Manager

About Us

At Moving Forward Therapeutic Care, we are passionate about supporting children and young people with learning disabilities to live safe, fulfilling, and empowered lives. Our homes provide stable, nurturing environments where each child's individual needs are understood, respected, and met with compassion and consistency.

We are opening a brand-new residential children's home for three children with learning disabilities and are seeking committed and compassionate Waking Night Support Workers to join our team. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in children's lives by providing consistent care, emotional support, and a safe, inclusive environment where each child can thrive.

About the Role

As a Waking Night Support Worker at Moving Forward Therapeutic Care, you will play a vital role in providing consistent, compassionate care to children with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs during the night.

Working in one of our nurturing and therapeutic homes, you will help create a calm, safe, and sensory-aware environment where children feel secure, supported, and comforted while they rest. You'll monitor children's wellbeing, respond to any needs that arise, and offer emotional reassurance throughout the night.

Your responsibilities will include supporting with bedtime routines, carrying out regular welfare and room checks, attending to personal or medical needs, and maintaining clear records of any incidents or observations. You will also complete domestic tasks to ensure the home is clean, organised, and ready for the day ahead.

This role is ideal for someone who is naturally calm, alert, and nurturing, with the ability to work independently and respond to children's needs in a trauma-informed and person-centred way.

If you are passionate about making a difference and feel confident supporting children during the quietest and most vulnerable hours of their day, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide calm, consistent, and child-centred care throughout the night, including personal care and emotional reassurance.

2. Support bedtime routines, promote healthy sleep, and maintain a sensory-aware, low-stimulation environment.

3. Monitor and respond to the emotional and physical wellbeing of children overnight.

4. Follow individual care plans, risk assessments, and sleep protocols to ensure personalised, safe support.

5. Use appropriate communication methods (e.g., Makaton, PECS) and respect each child's unique way of expressing needs.

6. Carry out regular welfare and room checks, reporting any concerns in line with safeguarding policy.

7. Complete domestic tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and preparing breakfast or education materials for the following day.

8. Ensure the home is clean, safe, secure, and ready for both children and incoming staff.

9. Administer medication (if trained) and carry out accurate counts of medication, petty cash, valuables, and sharps at the start and end of shift.

10. Maintain clear, detailed records and deliver structured handovers to ensure continuity of care.

11. Uphold high standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory compliance at all times.

12. Work in line with Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, and Ofsted expectations.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete within 2 years)
• Experience working with vulnerable children or young people
• Strong communication skills and emotional resilience
• Understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and positive behaviour support
• A passion for making a difference in children's lives

Desirable:

• Experience in residential childcare or waking night role
• Knowledge of learning disabilities, autism, sensory processing, or PBS
• Training in Makaton, PECS, first aid, or sensory integration
• Full UK driving licence.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and inclusive team culture
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation
• Pension scheme and employee wellbeing support

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a supportive, therapeutic team that values your well-being and development
• Ongoing training and progression opportunities
• Additional pay for sleep-ins and potential overtime
• A chance to genuinely change lives

Safeguarding Commitment

Moving Forward Therapeutic Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practices in line with 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' and Working Together to Safeguard Children

This post is subject to:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including checks against the barred lists for children.
• Receipt of two satisfactory references, including one from your most recent employer.
• Verification of identity, right to work in the UK, and relevant qualifications.
• Completion of a full employment history, with any gaps explained and verified.
• Confirmation of medical fitness to work.
• Online searches of google and social media platforms.

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the above being satisfied.

Moving Forward Therapeutic Care is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £22,000.00-£28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person