Children's Waking Night Residential Worker

Job Introduction

This role has a starting salary of £29,697 per annum based on a 36-hour working week, plus an additional, generous unsocial hours payment for working weekends and bank holidays.

Are you ready to start an exciting and rewarding career caring for children in one of our children's homes located in Redhill? We are excited to be hiring a new Residential Waking Night Worker to join our fantastic team!

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Relocation bonus
• Refer a friend payment of £750 as a thank you for finding the right residential worker

Our Home

Our Extended Hope Service is a specialist facility that provides short stays for children and young people in mental health or emotional crisis and we are now looking for a Waking Night Worker who has the enthusiasm and creativity to enhance and improve the lived experiences of these young people.

About the Role

As a Residential Waking Night Worker, you will play a key role in ensuring our children and young people receive safe and supportive care throughout the night. You will support children and young people to follow their evening routines to settle and sleep well and will act as a positive and reliable role model. You will build meaningful relationships with the children and young people and will use Dialectical Behaviour Therapy informed practice to support all aspects of your work, including managing risk and vulnerability.

Along with a dedicated and committed team we will support you to achieve the mandatory, nationally recognised, Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (within two years of starting) if you don't already have this. Gaining this qualification will open opportunities for you to progress to a Senior Residential Worker (starting at £32,512 per annum) along with helping you grow the skills needed to be an effective Residential Worker.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• GCSEs in English and Maths (or equivalent)
• A passion and commitment for working with children and young people
• Some understanding of the issues that may affect children and young people with emotional and/or mental health issues
• An ability to remain calm and confident in a range of situations
• A commitment to working evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays

To apply you will need to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

1. Looking at our advert please tell us what it is about the role that has motivated you to apply?
2. Please tell us about the relevant experience or transferable skills you have in relation to this role?
3. What three qualities do you have that would make you a good Support Worker and why will these be important?
4. Please tell us how you would you handle a situation where challenging behaviour was present? Please offer a relevant example if you can

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first round virtual interview to explore your answers to the above questions (lasting approx. 10-15 min), and if successful following this, invited to meet us at one of our homes for an interview. We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so feel free to submit an application as soon as you wish, and we will come back to you as quickly as possible.

Our Requirements

Due to our legal obligations, we can only accept applications from people 22 years old and above.

This role requires a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification. If you do not currently hold this qualification (or equivalent) but are successful in the interview and meet the enrolment criteria (including English and Maths skills), you will be enrolled in a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, subject to funding.

In addition to the above, to meet the criteria of the Level 3 Diploma, you must have lived in the UK/EEA for the last 3 years and you must also have the right to remain and work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the study programme. Failure to achieve the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or losing your right to remain and work in the United Kingdom may result in the termination of your employment.

We are unfortunately not able to offer sponsorship at this time. 

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and our residential workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle, to support our young people to attend appointments, activities or trips as agreed. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.  

So, if you think you have what it takes, can match our energy to be exceptional, and are willing to learn, we (and our children) really want to hear from you.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Sarah Muzzall by e-mail at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 29.06.2025 with interviews to follow.

 We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

 An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.