Most night shift jobs in care leave you exhausted and undervalued. This one doesn't. You'll work 4 nights on, 4 nights off in a children's home where your presence at 3am when a young person is struggling with trauma or unable to sleep genuinely changes their trajectory - and where the organisation actually invests in you as much as you invest in them
Imagine being the person a traumatised young person reaches for in the middle of the night because they trust you. That's your job here. You're not just monitoring; you're building the kind of relationship that helps a young person feel safe enough to heal. The quieter hours give you space to really know each young person - their triggers, their dreams, what makes them feel seen. That rapport becomes the foundation for real change
The young people here have complex social, emotional and mental health needs. Many have experienced things that would break most people. Your job is to be steady, consistent and genuinely present when everything feels difficult. Those small moments - a conversation at 2am that shifts how they see themselves, noticing they've slept through without nightmares for the first time in weeks - these are the victories that remind you why this work matters
This organisation genuinely walks the talk on development. You'll get a full 4-week induction through their Care Academy with experienced professionals who've done this job themselves. If you don't have a Level 3 Diploma, they'll fund you to get one. Most of their team leaders and managers came up through the ranks - they promote from within and run an 'Aspire' programme for people serious about progression. This isn't a stepping stone job; it's a career with real structure
What you will be doing
- Support young people through the night - being present for crisis, illness, trauma responses, sleep issues and emotional distress, offering calm and skilled intervention when they need it most
- Build genuine relationships and trust with each young person, learning their individual needs and personalities so you can anticipate what they need before they ask
- Handle essential home maintenance during quieter hours: paperwork, cleaning, laundry and keeping the home running smoothly so everything is ready for the day team
- Respond to safeguarding concerns and keep detailed records that help the whole team understand each young person's progress and needs
Why you will love working here
- £30,849 to £33,896 base salary plus £1,400 Attendance Allowance for good attendance - real money that reflects the skill this job demands
- 7 weeks' holiday per year because yes, night shift work is intense and you deserve proper rest and recovery
- A full 4-week Care Academy induction plus funded Level 3 Diploma training if you don't already have it, with ongoing support every step of the way
- Flexible benefits: shape your own package around holiday, pension and life insurance to suit your life
- Employee wellbeing support, medical cover for opticians and dental costs, high-street discounts, and a recommend-a-friend scheme worth £1,000 per successful hire
- Genuine career progression - join an organisation that promotes its best people internally and runs a structured management development programme
Is this you?
- A genuine 'can do' attitude - you're a team player who rolls up your sleeves without being asked
- Real empathy and honesty; you actually care about young people and you're not afraid to show it, but you're also clear about boundaries
- The resilience to handle challenging, sometimes distressing situations without shutting down or becoming cynical
- A full UK driving licence that you've held for at least 12 months
- No care experience required - genuine character and willingness to learn matter far more than a CV full of buzzwords
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.