Night Staff

Purpose

Provide awake overnight care that protects rest, privacy and safety, and gives children a calm, responsive adult when they need help.

Reporting line

Deputy Manager and Registered Manager

Working arrangements

Waking nights; no sleep-in arrangement is implied. Shift blocks must remain within eight hours, with a covered one-hour paid break and safe handovers.

England; specific location and weekly hours confirmed before appointment. Maximum eight-hour shifts include one hour of paid uninterrupted break with competent cover.

Key responsibilities

• Receive a structured handover covering health, missing risks and each child's agreed night plan.
• Remain awake and carry out proportionate checks that respect privacy and assessed need.
• Respond to distress, illness or safeguarding disclosures and obtain urgent assistance promptly.
• Follow missing-child and fire procedures; maintain safe staffing throughout incidents.
• Administer or support medication only within assessed competence and authorisation.
• Record observations, interventions and sleep-related concerns without speculative labels.
• Complete agreed quiet household tasks without reducing supervision or emergency readiness.
• Give a clear morning handover and contribute to review of recurring overnight concerns.

Experience

Relevant experience supporting children overnight or in residential care, with evidence of safe emergency responses. No additional fixed number of years is specified.

Qualifications and registration

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent held or completed within the statutory period for care staff. Required safeguarding, first aid and emergency training before independent duties.

Essential capabilities

• Ability to stay alert and make calm decisions at night.
• Understanding of trauma, sleep difficulties, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Accurate records and timely escalation to senior cover and emergency services.
• Ability to work a safe waking-night rota and report fatigue.

Desirable experience

Experience of therapeutic residential night care and supporting children with complex health needs.

What good performance looks like

Children receive prompt support, avoidable sleep disruption is minimised and overnight concerns reach the daytime team.

Benefits and safer recruitment

All employee benefits and recruitment standards apply, including 32 days holiday plus bank holidays, 8% employer pension, family medical and dental cover subject to insurer terms, and the clean driving licence criterion with reasonable adjustments where required. Required vetting is completed before a final contract.

Apply for AL04

Email hr@astha.org quoting this reference. HR will discuss the location, hours, secure application route and adjustments.