Waking Nights Childrens Residential Support Worker
| Posting date: | 09 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,896 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 April 2026 |
| Location: | Leicester, Leicestershire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | YMCA Leicestershire |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | WNRSWMar26 |
Summary
YMCA Leicestershire Waking Night Childrens Residential Support Worker
Salary: £25,896
Hours of Work: 10pm – 8am on a rota basis (40-hours per week)
Location: Leicester city centre
Benefits: 33 days of annual leave, including bank holidays, Birthday leave, Service leave, Pension and Health Cash Plan, Company Sick Pay, Free on-site Gym access, Menopause Welfare leave, complimentary Y Theatre tickets and Blue Light discount card eligibility.
Why this role exists
At YMCA Leicestershire, we believe every child deserves a safe place to call home and the support they need to create lasting change.
For the children living in our Residential Children’s Home, night-time can be the most vulnerable part of the day. It can bring anxiety, memories, uncertainty or simply the need for reassurance.
This Waking Nights Residential Support Worker role exists to ensure that even while the world sleeps, children remain safe, supported and emotionally secure.
As a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker, you won’t just be “on shift” — you’ll be a steady presence, a protector of safety, and someone children know they can rely on
About the Waking Nights Residential Support Worker role
Working as part of our Residential Children’s Home team at Park House, the Waking Nights Residential Support Worker plays a vital safeguarding and care role overnight.
You’ll work using the principles of therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed practice, ensuring children aged 7–18 experience:
Consistency
Compassion
Clear boundaries
Emotional safety
This is not passive night work. It is purposeful, professional and child-centred.
Key duties of the Waking Night Residential Support Worker
You’ll focus on the core responsibilities below (full details are available in the job description)
• Ensuring the home remains safe, secure and appropriately monitored overnight
• Maintaining awareness of children’s movements and responding calmly to any concerns
• Following safeguarding, missing and incident protocols in line with Children’s Home Regulations 2015
• Providing emotional support and reassurance to children who may need help during the night
• Completing accurate records, logs and handovers to day staff
• Contributing to a nurturing, structured and consistent environment that promotes positive outcomes
The Waking Nights Residential Support Worker works independently overnight while remaining fully connected to a supportive, reflective team culture.
An enhanced DBS check is required as part of our safer recruitment process.
About you
You’ll understand that children’s behaviour often reflects their experiences.
As a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker, you will:
• Demonstrate compassion, empathy and professional curiosity
• Stay calm and regulated in challenging situations
• Uphold clear and consistent boundaries
• Protect children’s privacy and dignity
• Work independently while maintaining high professional standards
You’ll bring:
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or commitment to achieve within 2 years)
• At least 1 year’s recent experience supporting children or young people in a residential or supportive setting
• A strong understanding of trauma and child development
• Emotional resilience and sound judgement
• A commitment to safeguarding and regulatory compliance
• A full UK driving licence (access to a vehicle preferred)
• Eligibility under Care Standards Act requirements (minimum age 22)
Why work for YMCA Leicestershire as a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker?
Because people matter here, including the people who work here.
We are a values-led charity supporting young people aged 16-25 through housing, care, wellbeing, sport and culture (including the Y Theatre, Leicester’s oldest theatre). At our Residential Children’s home, we operate with high aspiration and strong therapeutic principles.
People chose to work here because:
• You are trusted to do meaningful work,
• Kindness and professionalism go hand in hand,
• Your development and wellbeing are genuinely supported,
• You can see the difference you make every single day.
Our vision is simple: every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the support to create lasting change.
Safeguarding
YMCA Leicestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. All staff are expected to act in line with our safeguarding policies and procedures.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re especially keen to hear from those under-represented in the charity and housing sectors. If you need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, just tell us, we will do our best to support you.
GDPR
Applicants’ personal data will be handled in accordance with YMCA Leicestershire’s Data Protection and Privacy Policy.
Salary: £25,896
Hours of Work: 10pm – 8am on a rota basis (40-hours per week)
Location: Leicester city centre
Benefits: 33 days of annual leave, including bank holidays, Birthday leave, Service leave, Pension and Health Cash Plan, Company Sick Pay, Free on-site Gym access, Menopause Welfare leave, complimentary Y Theatre tickets and Blue Light discount card eligibility.
Why this role exists
At YMCA Leicestershire, we believe every child deserves a safe place to call home and the support they need to create lasting change.
For the children living in our Residential Children’s Home, night-time can be the most vulnerable part of the day. It can bring anxiety, memories, uncertainty or simply the need for reassurance.
This Waking Nights Residential Support Worker role exists to ensure that even while the world sleeps, children remain safe, supported and emotionally secure.
As a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker, you won’t just be “on shift” — you’ll be a steady presence, a protector of safety, and someone children know they can rely on
About the Waking Nights Residential Support Worker role
Working as part of our Residential Children’s Home team at Park House, the Waking Nights Residential Support Worker plays a vital safeguarding and care role overnight.
You’ll work using the principles of therapeutic parenting and trauma-informed practice, ensuring children aged 7–18 experience:
Consistency
Compassion
Clear boundaries
Emotional safety
This is not passive night work. It is purposeful, professional and child-centred.
Key duties of the Waking Night Residential Support Worker
You’ll focus on the core responsibilities below (full details are available in the job description)
• Ensuring the home remains safe, secure and appropriately monitored overnight
• Maintaining awareness of children’s movements and responding calmly to any concerns
• Following safeguarding, missing and incident protocols in line with Children’s Home Regulations 2015
• Providing emotional support and reassurance to children who may need help during the night
• Completing accurate records, logs and handovers to day staff
• Contributing to a nurturing, structured and consistent environment that promotes positive outcomes
The Waking Nights Residential Support Worker works independently overnight while remaining fully connected to a supportive, reflective team culture.
An enhanced DBS check is required as part of our safer recruitment process.
About you
You’ll understand that children’s behaviour often reflects their experiences.
As a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker, you will:
• Demonstrate compassion, empathy and professional curiosity
• Stay calm and regulated in challenging situations
• Uphold clear and consistent boundaries
• Protect children’s privacy and dignity
• Work independently while maintaining high professional standards
You’ll bring:
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or commitment to achieve within 2 years)
• At least 1 year’s recent experience supporting children or young people in a residential or supportive setting
• A strong understanding of trauma and child development
• Emotional resilience and sound judgement
• A commitment to safeguarding and regulatory compliance
• A full UK driving licence (access to a vehicle preferred)
• Eligibility under Care Standards Act requirements (minimum age 22)
Why work for YMCA Leicestershire as a Waking Nights Residential Support Worker?
Because people matter here, including the people who work here.
We are a values-led charity supporting young people aged 16-25 through housing, care, wellbeing, sport and culture (including the Y Theatre, Leicester’s oldest theatre). At our Residential Children’s home, we operate with high aspiration and strong therapeutic principles.
People chose to work here because:
• You are trusted to do meaningful work,
• Kindness and professionalism go hand in hand,
• Your development and wellbeing are genuinely supported,
• You can see the difference you make every single day.
Our vision is simple: every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the support to create lasting change.
Safeguarding
YMCA Leicestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. All staff are expected to act in line with our safeguarding policies and procedures.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re especially keen to hear from those under-represented in the charity and housing sectors. If you need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, just tell us, we will do our best to support you.
GDPR
Applicants’ personal data will be handled in accordance with YMCA Leicestershire’s Data Protection and Privacy Policy.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.