At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students and help them stay engaged in education.
- Company: Milk Education, dedicated to making a difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, valuable experience, and career development in criminal justice.
- Other info: Perfect stepping stone for a career in criminal justice or youth support.
- Why this job: Gain frontline experience and make a real impact on at-risk youth.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Criminology, Sociology, or Social Science with a passion for social change.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: Barnet
Start Date: September 2026
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:45pm (term time only)
Pay: £108 per day
Trial/observation days available.
Gain frontline experience working with vulnerable young people and build the foundation for a career in criminal justice. Are you a Criminology, Sociology, or Social Science graduate passionate about understanding the root causes of offending and social exclusion? Milk Education is recruiting an Aspiring Criminal Justice Officer to work as a Learning Support Assistant in a Barnet secondary school. This role places you at the frontline of early intervention, supporting students at risk of exclusion, persistent absence, or involvement in the criminal justice system.
The Role
- Support students who are:
- At risk of exclusion or persistent absence
- Experiencing SEMH needs, trauma, or ACEs
- Exhibiting challenging behaviour linked to unmet needs
- Disengaged from education and at risk of entering the youth justice system
Collaborate with pastoral teams, SENCOs, and external agencies to keep young people in education and away from the justice system.
Your Experience Will Include:
- 1:1 and small-group mentoring for at-risk pupils
- Supporting emotional regulation, behaviour, and engagement
- Building trust with disengaged or challenging learners
- Implementing trauma-informed, restorative approaches
- Gaining exposure to safeguarding, multi-agency working, and behaviour management
How This Role Prepares You for Criminal Justice
- Understand the school-to-prison pipeline - See how exclusion and unmet needs drive young people toward offending.
- Early intervention - Learn how targeted support prevents youth offending.
- Build trust with resistant individuals - Develop skills to engage with those wary of authority.
- Restorative practice - Gain experience in approaches that reduce reoffending.
- Multi-agency working - Collaborate with social care, mental health, and pastoral teams.
- Safeguarding & risk management - Develop skills in identifying vulnerability and managing risk.
Schools and alternative provisions are where the criminal justice system often begins. This role gives you a critical foundation in understanding the link between education, behaviour, and offending—invaluable for careers in probation, youth justice, policing, or offender management.
Who We're Looking For:
- Criminology, Sociology, or Social Science graduates
- Aspiring Criminal Justice Officers, Probation Officers, or Youth Justice Workers
- Calm, resilient, and empathetic individual
Aspiring Criminal Justice Officer - Learning Support Assistant Barnet employer: AMA Admin
Milk Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic environment for aspiring Behaviour, Pastoral, or Cover Specialists in Bradford. With a focus on professional development and valuable classroom experience, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students while enjoying consistent hours and a positive school culture. Join us to build your career in education and contribute to a thriving community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aspiring Criminal Justice Officer - Learning Support Assistant Barnet
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at AMA Admin.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from AMA Admin!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like AMA Admin, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at AMA Admin or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Aspiring Criminal Justice Officer - Learning Support Assistant Barnet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to AMA Admin:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to AMA Admin! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AMA Admin
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
