Job Description

o creating a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment where children can feel secure, supported, and inspired to thrive.

We are seeking passionate and experienced

Support Workers

and

Waking Night Support Workers

to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people with

learning disabilities including autism and ADHD

, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and other additional needs.

The RolesSupport Worker (Day & Night Shifts)

As a Support Worker, you will play a vital role in the daily care and development of children and young people. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will provide emotional, social, and practical support--helping children to grow in independence, build positive relationships, and develop a strong sense of identity.

You will also take on key responsibilities such as record keeping, contributing to shift planning, and promoting educational, recreational, and community activities.

Waking Night Support Worker

As a Waking Night Support Worker, you will provide consistent, reassuring support throughout the night, ensuring the home remains safe, calm, and well-managed. You will be responsible for completing relevant checks, responding to incidents or emergencies, supporting children who may wake during the night, and maintaining accurate night-time records to ensure a smooth handover to the day team.

Key Responsibilities

Provide a safe, supportive, and homely environment for children and young people. Encourage independence, responsibility, and a positive self-image. Support children to access education, recreational, and community opportunities (Support Worker role). Build strong, trusting relationships through engagement, coaching, and mentoring. Work collaboratively with colleagues, families, and external professionals. Maintain accurate records, including daily logs, incident reports, and key work sessions. Take part in care planning, reviews, and assessments. Promote high standards of cleanliness, care, and homeliness in the home. Undertake sleep-in duties and shift leadership responsibilities when required (Support Worker role). Complete required checks, monitoring and reporting during night shifts (Waking Night role). Ensure safeguarding policies and Children's Homes Regulations are always followed.
Driving Requirement (Essential)

Due to the needs of the service, applicants must be a confident

car driver

and hold a

full UK driving licence

. The role may include transporting children and young people, attending meetings, and supporting community activities.

Personal Care

Due to the needs of the client group, the role

may involve personal care

where appropriate (for example, supporting with hygiene routines, prompting, or practical support in line with care plans). Training will be provided, and all support must be delivered with dignity, respect, and sensitivity.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

New Horizon Childcare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. You will be responsible for:

Following safeguarding procedures and reporting concerns immediately in line with policy and local arrangements. Maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times. Supporting a culture of safe practice, positive relationships, and respectful care.
Enhanced DBS Checks

All roles are subject to an

enhanced DBS check

(including a check against the

children's barred list

) and satisfactory references. Employment will be dependent on the completion of all safer recruitment checks in line with New Horizon Childcare policies.

What We're Looking For

Experience working with children and young people in residential care (preferred). A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable children and helping them achieve positive outcomes. Strong communication, teamwork, and relationship-building skills. Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, and sleep-ins (Support Worker) and waking nights (Waking Night Support Worker).

NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare

(or willingness to work towards this qualification).
What We Offer

Competitive pay: 13.50 per hour

Full training and support, including continuous professional development Opportunities to gain further qualifications (

Level 3 and Level 5 in Residential Childcare

) A supportive and inclusive working environment The chance to help shape a new home and be part of a values-driven organisation
Join us at

New Horizon Childcare

and help us create a brighter, safer future for children who need it most.

make it better and exciting advert

New Horizon Childcare is opening a

brand-new children's home in Ham Street, Ashford

-- and we're building a team of passionate people who want to do work that truly matters.

We're creating a

safe, nurturing and therapeutic home

where children and young people can feel secure, valued and empowered to thrive. If you're caring, resilient, and ready to help change lives, we'd love to hear from you.

We are recruiting for multiple roles:

Support Workers (Days / Nights / Sleep-ins)

Waking Night Support Workers

You'll be supporting children and young people aged

5-18

with

learning disabilities (including Autism/ASD and ADHD)

, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and associated mental health needs.

Why Join New Horizon Childcare?

This is more than a job -- it's a chance to be part of something new and special from day one:

Be part of a brand-new home

and help shape the culture, routines and environment

Strong training and development

with opportunities to gain

Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications

A supportive, values-driven team that prioritises

quality care, safeguarding and staff wellbeing

Competitive pay: 13.50 per hour

The RolesSupport Worker (Days / Nights / Sleep-ins)

As a Support Worker, you'll be a positive, consistent adult in a child's life -- helping them feel safe, understood and encouraged. You'll support daily routines, emotional wellbeing, education and activities, while building trusting relationships through patience, structure and care.

Waking Night Support Worker

As a Waking Night Support Worker, you'll provide calm, reassuring support through the night, ensuring children feel safe and the home runs smoothly. You'll complete checks, respond to any incidents, support young people who wake, and keep clear, accurate records for handover to the day team.

Key Responsibilities

Provide a

safe, supportive and homely

environment where children feel secure Build strong relationships through

engagement, coaching and mentoring

Encourage independence, responsibility and a positive sense of identity Support access to

education, hobbies, community activities and appointments

(Support Worker role) Maintain accurate records including daily logs, incident reports and key-work notes Contribute to care planning, reviews, risk assessments and outcomes Maintain high standards of cleanliness, routines and positive boundaries Work professionally with families (where appropriate) and partner agencies Follow safeguarding procedures and Children's Homes Regulations at all times
Driving Requirement (Essential)

Due to the needs of the service, applicants must be a confident

car driver

with a

full UK driving licence

. The role may include transporting children and young people to school, appointments and community activities.

Personal Care

Due to the needs of the client group, the role

may involve personal care

where appropriate (for example, supporting with hygiene routines, prompting, or practical support in line with care plans). Full training will be provided, and support must always be delivered with dignity, respect and sensitivity.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for warm, motivated people who can bring consistency, compassion and confidence to the home.

You will ideally have:

Experience supporting children/young people in residential care or a similar setting (preferred) A genuine passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure Strong communication and teamwork skills Flexibility to work shifts, weekends and sleep-ins (Support Worker) or waking nights (Waking Night)

NVQ Level 3 / Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

(or willingness to work towards it)
Safeguarding & DBS

New Horizon Childcare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be expected to share this commitment.

These roles are subject to

safer recruitment checks

, including:

Enhanced DBS check

(including the

Children's Barred List

) Satisfactory references and employment history checks
What We Offer

13.50 per hour

Full induction and ongoing training Clear progression and development opportunities Supportive leadership and a team culture that values staff The chance to help shape a new home and make a genuine difference

Join us at New Horizon Childcare

and help create a brighter, safer future for children who need it most.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 13.00-13.50 per hour

Benefits:

Company events Company pension On-site parking Sick pay Work from home
Work Location: In person