Support Worker - Complex Medical Needs in London, England at Special People

SUPPORT WORKER - COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS

Location: North London

Hours: 4 waking nights per week, 10:00 pm 8:00 am | Ad/hoc day & retreat support

Start Date: As soon as possible

Contract: Ongoing waking nights + ad/hoc

About the Role

We are looking for a skilled, attentive, and compassionate Support Worker to provide overnight care for a young child with complex medical needs, including Dravet Syndrome (a severe epilepsy condition).

The role involves providing close supervision during the night to ensure the childs safety, monitoring for seizures, and supporting with personal care and health monitoring in the family home or during occasional respite stays.

This position requires someone who is calm, highly observant, and confident working with children who have medical needs and require close monitoring.

Essential Requirements

• Experience supporting children with complex medical needs, particularly epilepsy or neurological conditions
• Understanding of epilepsy and seizure management
• Confidence in monitoring health indicators and recognising changes in condition
• Ability to remain calm and act quickly during medical emergencies
• Willingness to undertake specialist training (Buccal Midazolam administration, seizure management, PEG feeding)
• Confident using oxygen therapy equipment (portable O, pulse oximeter, face mask)
• Competence in medication administration and accurate clinical record-keeping
• Solid safeguarding knowledge and a clear understanding of duties of care for children
• Experience with PECS, Makaton, or other AAC communication approaches (desirable)
• Reliability and consistency when providing overnight support

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out a safety and equipment check at the start of each shift, ensuring oxygen, pulse oximeter, thermometer, and emergency medication are ready and accessible
• Maintain continuous one-to-one supervision throughout the night, staying alert to breathing, colour, temperature, and any signs of seizure activity
• Implement the Emergency Seizure Management Plan promptly when required, including administering Buccal Midazolam and escalating to emergency services when indicated
• Monitor body temperature at regular intervals and follow the fever management protocol without delay if thresholds are exceeded
• Administer prescribed daily medications accurately, and support PEG feeding in line with the family-provided regimen (trained staff only)
• Provide respectful, dignified overnight personal care, nappy changes, repositioning, and morning dressing and hygiene
• Complete a clear, time-stamped written handover to the parent at the end of every shift
• Engage the child in play and stimulating activities that she enjoys, supporting her wellbeing during daytime or retreat support

Ideal Candidate

You will be someone who is calm, observant, and confident supporting children with medical needs. You will understand the importance of vigilance during overnight care and be able to follow clinical guidance while maintaining a nurturing and reassuring presence.

You will enjoy working with children, be able to build trust with families, and remain focused on maintaining the childs safety, comfort, and wellbeing at all times.