Supporting older people in care homes at night is a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that identifies that although night-time care forms a significant part of care home provision, there is little research on the subject. Night staff are a vulnerable group, receiving less training, supervision and support than day staff, but with high levels of responsibility.

This report examines the perspectives of residents, relatives, staff and care home inspectors. It identifies both good and poor practice, and recommends improvements through a series of interventions.

Issues explored in depth include:

• the role of regulatory bodies in night-time care inspection;
• the role of managers in supervising and monitoring night-time care;
• causes of distress and sleep disturbance amongst residents;
• the need to reduce the number of checks that occurs throughout the night;
• the training of night staff in areas such as dementia awareness and the management of continence;
• guidance on appropriate noise and light levels; and
• strategies for developing more person-centred care at night.