Assistant Residential Childrens Worker (Gatekeepers Lodge) (3 Posts)

Salary details: £ - £

Assistant Residential Children’s Worker Waking Nights

Welcome to Gatekeeper’s Lodge, it is a unique home for one young person aged 8–18. It’s a place where kindness, care, and curiosity make every day and night feel safe and positive. Our approach is based on learning through life, building trust, and creating calm, nurturing routines. At night, children need reassurance and safety. Your role is to make sure they feel secure, cared for, and supported, even when the world feels quiet.

Your role as an Assistant Residential childcare worker is to be a calm, caring presence during the night, offering comfort and support when needed. Respond to any worries or emergencies with confidence and compassion. Prepare for the following day helping set the child up for success in school or community activities.

Get school bags ready, prepare lunches, and ensure the home feels organised and welcoming for the morning, supporting the day shift by resetting the home and making sure everything is ready for a positive start. You won't be alone you will work alongside a sleep-in staff member for guidance and support throughout the night.

We at Gatekeepers value kindness, patience, and respect for each other and the child. A willingness to learn and grow, we’ll teach you everything you need to know. Team spirit, you’re part of a small, supportive team where every voice matters.

You’ll receive a comprehensive training package, including the opportunity to gain your Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare. We’ll help you build confidence in safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic approaches like PACE.

Picture this you arrive and settle in for the evening after a chat with the day team, making sure the home feels calm and safe. You check on the child, offering reassurance and a friendly chat if they’re awake.
You prepare for the next day, school bag packed, lunch ready, and the home tidy for a fresh start.

If the child wakes up worried or needs support, you’re there to listen and comfort them ensuring they feel safe you record any important notes for the day team and make sure everything is ready for the morning. Your presence helps the child feel secure and cared for, and ensures the home is ready for a day of learning and community life.

Why Join Gatekeepers?

Be part of a new, innovative service that puts relationships first. Work in a peaceful setting where your role truly makes a difference. Enjoy excellent training and career development opportunities. Help create a safe, positive environment for a child who needs stability and care.

Derbyshire is also a great place to live and work. It's only a short drive to Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Manchester but is also home to miles of beautiful countryside and has the Peak District National Park on its doorstep. The county enjoys house prices below the UK average and has great road and rail links.

In addition to location, there are several perks to being a Derbyshire County Council employee:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• generous annual leave and flexi-time scheme
• travel expenses
• discount on leisure centre memberships
• free car parking at most sites
• an in-house counselling services
• occupational health service
• access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist
• cycle to work scheme

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

The job may require unsocial hours working including weekends and Bank Holidays. Payment arrangements will be detailed in any contract offer made.

Saturday and Sunday hours will be paid at plain time where it is part of your normal working pattern unless it is between 7pm and 7am, where enhanced rates of pay apply. Enhanced pay rates are paid for Bank Holiday working.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.