Waking Nights Child Support Worker

Children's Residential Support Worker

Location: Crook, County Durham
Job Type: Full Time | Residential Childcare | Shift Work

Children's Residential Support Worker - Crook, County Durham

We are recruiting for a Waking Night Children's Residential Support Worker to join our dedicated residential childcare team in Crook, County Durham. This rewarding opportunity is ideal for experienced Residential Support Workers, Children's Support Workers, Care Workers, Residential Care Practitioners, Youth Support Workers, Behaviour Support Workers, Therapeutic Support Workers or individuals with experience supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).

You will provide high-quality care and support within a specialist children's residential home, helping to create a safe, secure and nurturing environment where young people can thrive.

This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference while developing your career within residential childcare.

About the Role

Working within a children's residential home, you will play a key role in supporting the safety, wellbeing and emotional needs of children and young people throughout your shift.

You will provide consistent care, promote positive behaviour, build trusted relationships, respond appropriately to incidents when required, and contribute to achieving positive outcomes for each young person.

You will work closely with the wider care team, following individual care plans, safeguarding procedures and regulatory standards to ensure outstanding levels of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Support children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD)
• Promote a safe, caring and nurturing residential environment
• Carry out regular welfare checks in line with care plans and risk assessments
• Respond appropriately to incidents, safeguarding concerns and emergencies
• Provide emotional support, reassurance and positive role modelling
• Encourage positive behaviour through consistent boundaries and relationship-based care
• Maintain accurate daily records, reports and handovers
• Ensure the home remains safe and secure, including security and fire safety checks
• Complete light household duties to maintain a clean, welcoming home environment
• Support morning routines where required
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, managers and external professionals
• Deliver care in accordance with Children's Homes Regulations, safeguarding guidance and organisational policies

What We're Looking For

We welcome applications from candidates with experience in:

• Children's Residential Care
• Residential Childcare
• Children's Support Work
• Youth Work
• Social Care
• Care Assistant roles involving children or young people
• Behaviour Support
• SEN or SEMH settings
• Foster Care or Supported Accommodation

You'll also have:

• Experience working with children or young people (children's residential care desirable)
• A calm, patient and resilient approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and professional boundaries
• Good written record-keeping skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• A proactive, flexible and child-centred approach
• Full UK driving licence (desirable)

Working Hours & Conditions

• Shift work on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays
• Flexibility to meet the needs of the service
• Participation in sleep-ins and on-call rota may be required
• Occasional rota changes to ensure continuity of care

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Supportive and inclusive working environment
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation
• The opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people

Safeguarding

This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All shortlisted candidates will be required to disclose any convictions or cautions that are not protected under current filtering legislation.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment procedures, including an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment checks.