Waking Night Residential Childcare Support Worker

Company: Area Camden

Contract Type: Permanent

Location : Soham, Cambridgeshire

Salary: Up to £31,867.18 per annum (dependent on qualification)

(Qualified Support Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent)

Specific Hours : 20:00pm- 8:00am (12 hour shifts)

Benefits

• Comprehensive induction and mandatory training
• Clear progression opportunities within the organisation
• Rotational weekly rota (minimum 48 hours per week / 168 hours per month)
• 236 hours annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Annual leave increase of 12 hours per year for 3 years (up to 272 hours)
• Pension scheme (after qualifying period)
• Fully funded qualifications if not already held

About Area Camden:

Area Camden, part of the Polaris Community, provides high‑quality, consistent care to help young people achieve their goals. Our staff are carefully recruited and trained to ensure a safe, stable environment at night.

We‘re now looking for a Waking Night Support Worker to support the physical, emotional, and social development of the children and young people in our homes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Stay awake and alert for the full night shift
• Ensure each child‘s safety and wellbeing throughout the night
• Provide empathy and support when young people need reassurance
• Support personalised bedtime routines and occasional activities
• Record information accurately using our computer systems
• Follow the Philomena protocol when reporting a missing child
• Communicate effectively with out‑of‑hours services and handle calls professionally
• Follow all Area Camden policies and act as a positive role model
• Contribute to the home‘s values and adapt to the changing needs of the children

Essential skills required

• Must be able to work as part of a team / bring energy and enthusiasm to the role
• Experience and knowledge of safeguarding children
• To follow delegated tasks and record detailed handovers.
• Be able to maintain Area Camden‘s policies and procedures.
• Can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Have the ability to engage and listen to children. Take action where needed.
• Be organised and able to plan and prepare work
• Be willing to work towards the relevant qualification if not held.
• Hold a relevant qualification or be committed to undertake a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare - we are looking for passionate and caring individuals who we will support to gain a qualification.

Area Camden is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.