Night Awake Childcare Officer - Chelmsford

ocation: Chelmsford, Essex
Salary: £26,095 – £27,860 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Working Pattern: Monday to Thursday, 9:45pm – 8:30am (term time only)

Some young people need a little extra support to feel safe, settled and secure, even when the school day is over.

Parker Smith Inclusion is proud to be working in partnership with a well-established residential special school in Chelmsford, supporting children and young people with additional needs. The school provides a safe, nurturing and structured environment where pupils are supported to develop their independence, build confidence and thrive both in and outside the classroom.

We are looking for a Residential Night Awake Childcare Officer to join the residential team, providing essential overnight care and support to ensure pupils feel safe, comfortable and well cared for throughout the night.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is patient, dependable and passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of young people.

The Role

As a Residential Night Awake Childcare Officer, you will play a vital role in maintaining a safe and supportive residential environment overnight. Working closely with the wider care team, your responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring pupils throughout the night, carrying out regular checks and responding to their individual needs.
• Supporting pupils with their health, wellbeing and comfort, including personal care where required.
• Responding calmly and appropriately to incidents, medical concerns or emergencies.
• Following safeguarding procedures and ensuring pupils are safe and protected at all times.
• Maintaining accurate records of overnight checks, incidents and any concerns.
• Providing a thorough handover to morning staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintaining the security and safety of the residential building throughout the shift.
• Supporting a clean, safe and comfortable living environment and reporting any maintenance concerns.
• Following health and safety procedures, fire protocols and emergency guidance.
• Attending training, supervision and staff meetings as required.
• Working towards a Level 3 qualification within three months, if not already held.

About You

We are looking for someone who understands the importance of creating a safe, reassuring environment for young people and can remain calm, alert and professional throughout the night.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with children or young people, preferably within a residential, care or SEND setting.
• An NVQ Level 3 in Care or an equivalent qualification, or a willingness to work towards one.
• A good understanding of safeguarding and your responsibility to protect vulnerable young people.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures and the ability to respond appropriately in an emergency.
• Strong communication and record-keeping skills.
• A patient, caring and resilient approach, with the ability to respond sensitively to individual needs.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
• A full driving licence (desirable), with a willingness to undertake minibus training if required.

Most importantly, you will be someone who takes pride in providing consistent, compassionate care and understands how important it is for young people to feel safe and supported.

Why Join Parker Smith Inclusion?

At Parker Smith Inclusion, we believe recruitment should be about more than filling vacancies. It's about building relationships, understanding individual needs and connecting people with opportunities where they can genuinely make a difference.

We work in partnership with specialist schools across Essex and the surrounding areas, helping passionate professionals find rewarding roles where their skills and dedication can have a lasting impact.

This is an opportunity to become part of an established residential team, supporting young people with additional needs and helping them feel safe, secure and cared for overnight.

Interested in making a difference?

If you have the patience, commitment and compassion to support young people in a residential setting, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your updated CV to find out more about this opportunity.