At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children in a specialist SEMH school, focusing on emotional regulation and behaviour support.
- Company: Specialist SEMH school with strong links to youth justice services in London.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, term-time only, and hands-on experience in youth justice.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and career development in the criminal justice sector.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth while gaining invaluable experience.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, or Social Science with a passion for social justice.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
Learning Support Assistant Role: SEMH & Youth Justice Pathway - Graduate Learning Support Assistant
Specialist SEMH School - West Drayton | Strong links to London Youth Offending & Safeguarding Services
Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £101.40 per day | Term time only | 8:30am - 3:45pm
Are you a Criminology, Psychology, or Social Science graduate who wants to understand the real intersection between SEMH, school exclusion, and the youth criminal justice system?
Do you want to work directly with vulnerable children in a London-linked SEMH setting - children who are at high risk of knife crime, gang exploitation, criminalisation, and the school-to-prison pipeline?
If you're aspiring to become a Forensic Psychologist, Youth Justice Officer, Probation Practitioner, Clinical Psychologist, or Social Worker, this role offers front-line, trauma-informed experience that most graduate schemes cannot provide.
The Role: SEN Learning Support Assistant (SEMH Focus)
You will join a specialist SEMH school in Slough—a setting that supports pupils whose complex needs are often rooted in:
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Community violence and exposure to crime
- Family breakdown and poverty
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and gang affiliation
- Knife crime and serious youth violence
Many of these young people have been permanently excluded from mainstream education or are on the edge of the criminal justice system. Your role will be to support them to re-engage with learning, regulate their emotions, and make safer choices—often in moments of crisis.
What You Will Gain - Practical Experience in Youth Justice & SEMH Intervention
This is not a passive classroom role. You will be actively involved in:
- Emotional regulation and de-escalation - supporting pupils during heightened states of distress or aggression
- Restorative practice - facilitating conversations around harm, consequences, and repair
- 1:1 and small-group mentoring - delivering interventions focused on decision-making, peer pressure, and risk awareness
- Behaviour support - working alongside specialist staff to implement tailored behaviour plans
- Safeguarding in practice - contributing to risk assessments, incident reporting, and contextual safeguarding (peer groups, home environment, community risks)
- Knife crime prevention - supporting workshop-style inputs and reflective discussions around violence, carrying weapons, and personal safety
- Trauma-informed practice - learning how to build trusting relationships with young people who have experienced significant harm and rejection
Why This Role Is Ideal for Graduates Targeting the Criminal Justice Sector
Aspiring Youth Justice/Criminal Justice/Social Justice Officer - Learning Support Assistant 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 Youth Justice/Criminal Justice/Social Justice Officer - Learning Support Assistant
✨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 Youth Justice/Criminal Justice/Social Justice Officer - Learning Support Assistant
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.
