Waking Nights Residential Support Worker
Location: Heanor, Derbyshire

Home: 2 Bed LD Home with 2 YPs
Up to £13.81 per hour | Full-time | Waking nights

A bit about the home

This is a therapeutic children’s home in Heanor, set up to offer children with learning disabilities, autism and ADHD a safe, nurturing place to grow. The home is small by design, so staff can really know each child and work in a thoughtful, relationship-based way, supported by a clear therapeutic framework and input from external therapists.

If you enjoy working in a setting where staff are trusted, listened to and properly invested in, this is the kind of environment that suits you.

The role

As a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker, you’ll be part of a close-knit team that keeps the home feeling settled and welcoming overnight.

You’ll be:

• Providing consistent support to children with learning disabilities and associated needs, following individual plans and agreed routines

• Offering reassurance, conversation and practical help when children wake or need support during the night

• Recording what happens on your shift so the day team have a clear picture

• Working alongside an experienced Team Leader and colleagues, with access to external therapeutic support when needed

• Taking part in regular training, reflective discussions and development sessions so your practice keeps growing

This is a role for someone who genuinely enjoys being there for children at the quiet, in-between hours when consistency matters most.

What you’ll be doing day to day

• Building trusting relationships with children over time, so you feel familiar and predictable to them Indeed

• Supporting personal care, bedtime and morning routines in a way that protects privacy and dignity

• Following behaviour support and sensory strategies designed with therapists and the wider team

• Keeping the environment safe, homely and well presented throughout the night

• Working waking night shifts on a rota pattern, with occasional day shifts where needed to support team connection and training

What they’re looking for

You don’t need to have every box ticked, but you do need the right attitude. The team is keen to speak to people who are:

• Recent experience working with children with learning disabilities and/or complex needs

• Naturally patient, warm and consistent with children and young people

• Comfortable working nights and able to stay focused and present throughout the shift

• Willing to work as part of a team and follow agreed plans, not just do your own thing

• Ready to reflect, learn and take on feedback

It’s helpful if you also have:

• Experience in residential childcare, learning disability services, youth work or a similar role (around 1 year+ is ideal)

• A full UK driving licence

What you’ll get in return

The home is set up to look after staff properly, not just the children. You can expect:

• Pay up to £13.81 per hour, with enhanced night pay for waking nights

• Free DBS check

• Free meals on shift (lunch or dinner depending on your hours)

• 28+ days annual leave

• Company pension scheme

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to a dedicated wellbeing hub and mentoring

• Casual dress and a relaxed, professional culture

• On-site parking

There’s also a clear focus on progression. Staff are encouraged to build their skills, gain qualifications and move into senior roles over time, with proper training and support along the way.

Shift pattern and flexibility

• Waking night shifts on a rota

• Bank hours available to cover absences if you prefer more flexibility

This set-up suits people who like having clear structure to their week, while still having room for life outside work.

How to apply

If you’d like to support children with learning disabilities in a small, therapeutic home where staff are well supported and practice is taken seriously, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply with your CV outlining:

• Your experience with children or young people

• Any relevant qualifications

• Your availability for waking night shifts

Someone from the team will be in touch to talk through the role, the rota and next steps.