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What Is a Waking Night Worker?

24 Nov, 2023
What Is a Waking Night Worker?

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What is a Waking Night Worker?

Caring roles are often differentiated by the needs of the person and how you support them. Many domiciliary support workers carry out activities and duties during the day. However, some roles involve providing care at night. For example, a night worker remains onsite overnight but will have a place to rest. The specific role of waking night worker comes with different duties.

Let’s take a look at the duties involved in the job of a waking night worker. Plus, we’ll share how the role functions and the kind of people you could be supporting in this job.

What Does A Waking Night Support Worker Do?

A waking night carer is available to support someone throughout the night. It’s their main role. They don’t usually provide support during the day as they remain awake all night. The role includes practical and emotional support. 

It could involve assisting someone with taking medications or changing positions. A waking night carer usually stays awake all night and may complete other duties when not directly helping the person they support.

Helping someone, whether in their home or a care home requires compassion and trust. Supporting someone during the night requires compassion and consideration, as well as a practical approach to planning. The role also requires excellent communication and the ability to respond quickly. 

The role differs from a night or sleeping night carer. In that role, a support worker might wake up once or twice at night to help someone, such as assisting them in getting to the bathroom. However, the rest of the time will be spent sleeping. They need to rest, as they often have duties to complete during the day.

What Kinds of People Does A Waking Night Worker Support?

People who need support are normally assessed to see what kind of care they need. This assessment helps to identify those who need limited assistance, in which case a sleeping night carer will be appropriate. Alternatively, it may determine that they need regular support at night, showing that a waking night worker is needed.

The circumstances for why someone needs a waking night carer vary. For example, you could support someone who is recovering from an operation or an injury, who needs help for a specific period. On the other hand, you might assist someone with a progressive medical condition.

Key duties of a Waking Night Carer

The duties of a waking night carer depend on the needs of the person being supported. Part of the role usually involves creating and agreeing on a night care plan, which assesses the person’s needs and sets out actions. We’ve listed some of the duties involved.

  • Administering medication
  • Helping to change position 
  • Checking vitals
  • Assistance in going to the bathroom and with personal care
  • Domestic duties, including securing the property, changing the sheets, doing laundry and keeping surroundings peaceful and clean

Working as a Waking Night Carer

The role of a waking night support worker is essential for those who’ve been assessed and require help at night. Your duties will directly impact a person’s well-being. In domiciliary care, you’ll play a role in enabling people to stay in their homes by providing them support at regular intervals throughout the night.

It’s a crucial role, as good sleep is vital to recovery and well-being. By identifying a person’s needs and creating a plan accordingly, you can support them at night. Your help can improve their quality of life, benefit their recovery and reduce the impact of their symptoms.

Interested in working as a waking night support worker? We have lots of roles currently advertised on Care and Support Jobs.