Waking Night Support Worker

Job Description – Support Worker (Waking Nights)

Supported Accommodation (16–18, Ofsted Regulated) Location: Trimdon Grange Contract: Full-Time Salary: £27,000 per annum Company: North East Help Limited (NE-Help)

About NE-Help

NE-Help provides high-quality supported and semi-independent living accommodation for young people and Care Leavers aged 16–18. We work closely with local authorities and multi-agency partners to deliver safe, structured, and person-centred support tailored to each young person's needs.

Our services are grounded in dignity, respect, safeguarding, and empowerment, specialising in supporting young people with complex needs and vulnerabilities, particularly those who are hard to reach.

Role Purpose

The Waking Night Support Worker plays a vital role in maintaining the safety, welfare, and emotional wellbeing of young people overnight. You will remain awake throughout the shift to monitor, support, and respond to young people in real time, ensuring that all safeguarding, risk management, and emergency protocols are followed. You will work under the direction of the Registered Service Manager.

Key responsibilities include:

· Providing direct support to young people during night hours.

· Maintaining a safe and secure environment for all residents.

· Responding to emergencies, safeguarding concerns, and incidents effectively.

· Recording and reporting all relevant observations, incidents, and welfare checks.

· Ensuring compliance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Ofsted Quality Standards.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Safety, Security & Monitoring

· Conduct regular welfare checks, room checks, and building checks throughout the night.

· Ensure all visitors comply with entry, exit, and safeguarding procedures.

· Respond to incidents, emergencies, fire alarms, first aid, or other urgent situations promptly and appropriately.

· Manage challenging behaviour using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed approaches.

· Monitor and report any environmental or maintenance hazards to management.

1. Young Person Support

· Provide reassurance, emotional support, and guidance to young people during night hours.

· Support young people experiencing distress, dysregulation, anxiety, or other crises.

· Encourage routines, sleep hygiene, and safe night-time practices.

· Promote young people's rights, choices, and access to advocacy if required.

· Document observations that may influence care plans or risk assessments.

1. Safeguarding & Risk Management

· Report any safeguarding concerns immediately, following organisational and statutory procedures.

· Follow and implement risk assessments, safety plans, and missing-from-care protocols.

· Respond to missing episodes, late returns, or unauthorised absences in line with local authority procedures.

· Maintain vigilance and professional curiosity regarding potential risks to young people overnight.

1. Administration & Compliance

· Record all night logs, observations, and incidents accurately and promptly.

· Complete handovers to day staff, ensuring continuity of care.

· Adhere to confidentiality, data protection, and professional boundaries at all times.

· Ensure compliance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and Ofsted Quality Standards.

Experience & Skills Required

· Experience supporting vulnerable young people aged 16–18 in supported accommodation, semi-independent living, residential care, or similar settings.

· Understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and responding to crises.

· Ability to work independently overnight while remaining alert and responsive.

· Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and supporting young people with emotional and behavioural challenges.

· Ability to record and report observations, incidents, and night logs accurately.

· Good interpersonal skills to provide reassurance and guidance to young people.

· Willingness to work waking night shifts consistently on a rota.

· Competence in using IT for recording, reporting, and administrative tasks.

Desirable Attributes

Previous night support experience in residential or supported accommodation.

Training in safeguarding level 3, mental health, or behaviour management.

Knowledge of Ofsted inspection expectations for supported accommodation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £27,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Trimdon Grange, TS29 6EP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Diploma of Higher Education (required)

Experience:

• working with children and young people: 2 years (required)
• working in supported accommodation: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person