Night Residential Support Worker

Residential Support Worker
Salary: £26,500 per annum 
Location: Edinburgh 
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Part Time – 30 hours per week. Nightshift is 9.15pm to 7.15am

Closing date for applications is midnight of 21^st October and interviews are scheduled for 15^th and 23^rd October 

Benefits:  

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave 
• Option to compress hours; most of our team choose to work 37 hours across 4 days
• A rolling 6 weekly work pattern so you can plan your days off well in advance
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages 
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover 
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers 
• As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, you’ll receive a paid annual Wellbeing Day to use however you choose, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.  

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

We’re looking for care professionals who want to keep growing, learning and building their careers with us. As a Night Residential Support Worker, you’ll play a vital role in helping young people feel safe, supported and reassured throughout the night during their short breaks.

Your approach will be centred around each young person, using your values, compassion and understanding to help them feel comfortable, secure and confident while they’re with us. You’ll support their routines, promote independence in ways that feel manageable for them, and help create a calm, predictable environment that meets their emotional and social needs. You’ll also work closely with our clinical partners to ensure consistent support plans are followed, giving every child the best possible experience overnight.

And while you’re supporting the young people, we’ll make sure you feel supported too. You’ll receive a full induction, ongoing training and the opportunity to work towards the qualifications you need. Regular supervision, team meetings and strong peer support will help you feel part of a friendly, welcoming team. As your skills and confidence grow, you’ll be ready to take the next steps in your career with us.

About the Service 

Gilmerton Road Short Breaks offers a safe, welcoming and nurturing space for children and young people aged 5–18 who have learning disabilities and behaviours that may challenge. Our aim is to give each young person a positive, meaningful short‑break experience where they can relax, have fun and feel truly supported. 

During their time with us, young people are encouraged to build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy opportunities that help them grow. Their short breaks might include time in the community — a trip to the beach, a visit to the zoo, or simply enjoying playtime in the park — as well as activities within the service that help them socialise, learn and gain independence.

We work closely with CAMHS ID and our Behaviour Consultants to create thoughtful, consistent support plans that meet each child’s needs and bring clear, positive outcomes. Everything we do is centred around providing a warm, structured environment where young people feel valued and understood.

Our team provides overnight reassurance and support, and all sleepover shifts are fully paid.

What you do could make a difference

Some key responsibilities of a Night Residential Support Worker are;

• Taking the lead in planning and coordinating care at night, including assessing needs, reviewing progress and managing risk in a calm, supportive way.
• Helping bring different parts of the service together, working with other agencies and creating clear, helpful information for families, including written reports and analysis.
• Attending professional meetings — such as reviews or court‑related work — and confidently representing the needs and views of the young people.
• Supporting young people throughout their night‑time routines, helping them feel safe, understood and reassured.
• Communicating well with young people, colleagues and other professionals, building positive relationships through warmth, clarity and consistency.
• Thinking creatively and approaching challenges with a steady, solution‑focused mindset

Let’s talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We're looking for someone with a ‘can do' attitude to join our team. Ideally you'll; 

• Have spent time working in a care setting and know how to build real, trusting relationships with the people you support.
• Be confident using different ways to communicate and stay connected with the young person and their family, making sure everyone feels included and informed.
• Naturally look for solutions, whether you’re figuring something out on your own or working things through with the team.
• Be able to stay calm, steady, and supportive, even when the role brings moments that feel a bit tougher than usual.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.  

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters. 

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here. 

Will you join us?

How to apply

Contact: Please submit an application via our careers page. If you have any further questions, you can contact Laura McCarthy at [email protected] quoting reference 13830 

Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism

At Action for Children, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we are taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.

We also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children’s Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

Job description

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Management Competency Framework

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services

Find out more about Action for Children here: Action for Children and on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better. 

The difference is what you do. You can learn more about why we do it, by checking out our 'Driven by Love' video.