Support Worker - Waking Nights

Waking Night Support Worker \- Wolverhampton

New Leaf provides Ofsted\-regulated supported accommodation for young people aged 16–17, many of whom have experienced trauma, neglect, abuse, exploitation, homelessness risk, or emotional and behavioural difficulties. We take a trauma\-informed, relationship\-based approach, and the young person's voice shapes every decision about their support.

The Role

We are recruiting Waking Night Support Workers to join our Wolverhampton team. Shifts run from 20:00 to 08:00\. You will stay awake and alert through the night so young people have a safe, calm and stable home. You'll respond to their needs as they come up and help them keep healthy routines around sleep, rest and getting ready for the next day.

Night\-time can be when young people feel most anxious, unsettled or at risk. Your steady, reassuring presence and clear boundaries can help a young person move from crisis and uncertainty to stability, confidence and independence.

This role suits someone who stays calm under pressure, is clear with boundaries, can work well on their own through the night and is committed to high\-quality practice.

Key Responsibilities

*Night\-time safety and security*

• Stay awake and alert throughout the shift, carrying out regular checks of the building and of young people's wellbeing, in line with individual support and risk plans.


• Keep the premises secure. Carry out fire safety, health and safety and security checks, and follow the service's procedures for visitors.


• Monitor agreed curfews and respond to late returns following agreed protocols.

*Safeguarding and risk management*

• Respond quickly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns, incidents and emergencies overnight.


• Follow missing\-from\-care procedures promptly. Welcome young people back safely and give them a chance to talk about what happened.


• Put risk management plans into practice. Stay alert to signs of exploitation, self\-harm, substance misuse or other risks.

*Emotional support and wellbeing*

• Offer calm, trauma\-informed support to young people who are distressed, can't sleep or need to talk during the night.


• Promote healthy sleep routines and a settled, restful home environment.

*Independent living and routines*

• Encourage positive evening and morning routines, including getting up on time for education, training or work.


• Support young people with independence tasks where appropriate, such as preparing for the next day, laundry and keeping their space clean and safe.


• Carry out household tasks overnight to help keep the home clean, comfortable and well maintained.


• You will be responsible for keeping the house clean, tidy and well maintained, including leaving it clean before every handover and carrying out deep cleans twice a week, so young people live in a homely environment they can be proud of.

*Relationship\-based support*

• Build trusting, professional relationships with young people, offering consistent support, encouragement and appropriate challenge.


• Listen to and advocate for young people, and make sure their views are recorded, passed on and shape the support they receive.

*Recording, handover and professional practice*

• Keep clear, factual and timely records, including logs, wellbeing checks, incidents, safeguarding concerns and missing episodes.


• Give detailed handovers to day staff so support stays consistent and important information is passed on.


• Work with colleagues, managers and professionals from other agencies (social workers, police, health services and others) as needed.

Practice Expectations: The Eight Key Principles

As a Waking Night Support Worker at New Leaf, you will be expected to work in a way that promotes the following Eight Key Principles outlined by the National Children's Bureau:

• Ensure that young people feel safe and secure where they live and in their wider environment.


• Young people's voice is respected, heard and advocated for so that they can influence the support they receive.


• Ensure that young people have confidence that the adults who support them understand them by having the right skills and working effectively together to best meet the young people's needs.


• Provide and respect young people's own space so that they feel proud of and live in a comfortable, well\-maintained and stable accommodation.


• Provide high\-quality, tailored support that sustains the young person's health and well\-being.


• Foster strong, trusting and meaningful relationships with young people.


• Support young people to learn and apply skills for independent adult living.


• Ensure young people feel positive about their future and opportunities as a result of the support provided.

What We're Looking For

*Essential*

• At least 12 months' experience working with young people.


• Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People (or equivalent).


• Ability to work waking night shifts (20:00–08:00\) on a rota, as per service need, including weekends and bank holidays.


• Confidence working independently overnight and making sound decisions, with on\-call support available where required.


• Strong understanding of safeguarding, missing\-from\-care procedures, professional boundaries and person\-centred support.


• Strong IT skills and confidence using computers (you must be able to complete accurate, timely digital records and use email and online systems effectively).


• Enhanced DBS and satisfactory references.

*Desirable*

• Experience of waking night work in supported accommodation and/or Ofsted\-regulated services.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training


• Performance\-related yearly increments


• Career progression opportunities


• A supportive team environment with clear expectations and strong practice standards


• Work that is purposeful, measurable and genuinely life\-changing


• Health and wellbeing programme

Apply Now

If you want a role where you can keep young people safe through the night, hold strong boundaries and help them build safer, more independent futures, apply to join New Leaf.

Pay: £12\.72 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress


• Free parking


• On\-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Wolverhampton WV10: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Can you provide references, including contact details for previous employers, for all roles in which you worked with vulnerable individuals?


• Do you require a sponsorship?


• Are you committed to working as per rota/service need?


• Are you willing and able to undertake lone working as part of this role?


• Do you have a Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People (or equivalent)?

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (required)

Experience:

• Support Worker for Young People: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Clean Driving Licence (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

This listing is from Indeed. View original listing ↗