Residential Support Worker

Residential Support Worker (Childrens Residential – Waking Nights)

Salary: up to £30,000 per year

Location: Chesterfield

Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

As a Residential Support Worker (Waking Nights), you’ll provide emotional and practical support to young people, helping them feel safe, settled and supported overnight. Your main priority will be maintaining a calm, secure environment, following safeguarding procedures, managing behaviours and responding to any incidents.

Once our young people are settled, you’ll also use quieter periods to help prepare the home for the day ahead ensuring everything is safe, organised and ready for the day team.

You’ll work closely with other professionals to follow individual care plans, adapting your support to meet each young person’s needs. This includes supporting evening and morning routines, promoting independence and wellbeing, and keeping clear, accurate records of each shift.

This is a waking night role, with shifts from 9:30pm to 7:30am.

 

What you do could make a difference

How you’ll help to create brighter futures

As a Residential Support Worker, you’ll support by:

• Providing a safe, calm and supportive environment throughout the night
• Supporting care planning, including helping to assess needs, review progress and manage risk
• Working with the wider team and other professionals to share information and contribute to reports
• Attending meetings such as reviews and working alongside professionals involved in each young person’s care
• Taking responsibility on shift to help ensure a safe, high-quality service
• Supporting and guiding colleagues where appropriate, following policies and procedures
• Leading by example in day-to-day practice and maintaining high standards of care
• Helping to deliver consistent, round-the-clock care in line with regulation

Let’s talk about you

Are you resilient with a positive approach to challenges? We’re looking for someone with a ‘can do’ attitude who wants to make a difference. You might be experienced in residential care or looking to build your career we’ll support you every step of the way.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience working in a care setting and building positive, trusting relationships
• The ability to stay alert, calm and responsive during night shifts
• Good communication skills and the ability to work with young people, families and professionals
• A proactive, solution-focused approach, both independently and as part of a team
• Emotional resilience and the ability to stay calm in challenging situations
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or willingness to complete this within 2 years with our full support

Why Action for Children? 

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.  

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.  

Will you join us? 

About the Service  

Our Chesterfield service is a brand-new residential home, and we’re currently building a passionate team ready to welcome up to four children and young people aged up to 18 with physical and learning disabilities.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning, helping to shape the culture, routines and environment of the home. We’re committed to creating a warm, inclusive and nurturing space where every young person feels safe, valued and supported to grow in confidence and independence.

How to apply 

If you require any support to apply, please contact: Shannon Neander at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 12861 

Diversity, equality and inclusion 

At Action for Children, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we’re taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve. 

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities. 

We also encourage applications from men, who are underrepresented in our Children’s Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team. 

 Want to know more about Action for Children? 
 

Find us on  Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

Job Description 

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services