At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children in crisis, helping them re-engage with learning and make safer choices.
- Company: Specialist SEMH school in Islington focused on youth justice and emotional support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, term-time only, and hands-on experience in youth justice.
- Other info: Work closely with local youth services and gain insights into the youth criminal justice system.
- Why this job: Gain practical experience in youth justice and SEMH, ideal for future careers in psychology or social work.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, or Social Science preferred.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
Location: Islington, North London
Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £101.40-£110/day (depending on experience) | Term time only | 8:30am-3:45pm
Are you a Criminology, Psychology, or Social Science graduate wanting to understand the real link between SEMH, school exclusion, and the youth criminal justice system—specifically within the context of inner-London exploitation, county lines, and serious youth violence?
This role places you directly with vulnerable children at high risk of knife crime, gang exploitation, criminalisation, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Islington faces significant challenges with Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and serious youth violence, with strong cross-borough gang links to Camden, Hackney, and Haringey. This frontline, trauma-informed experience is essential if you are aspiring to be a Forensic Psychologist, Youth Justice Officer, Probation Practitioner, Clinical Psychologist, or Social Worker.
The Role: SEN Learning Support Assistant (SEMH Focus)
You'll join a specialist SEMH school, AP (Alternative Provision), or PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) in Islington, supporting pupils whose needs stem from:
- ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
- Community violence and crime exposure (gangs, county lines, cross-borough rivalries)
- Family breakdown, poverty, and housing instability
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and gang affiliation
- Knife crime and serious youth violence
Many pupils have been permanently excluded from mainstream schools or are on the edge of the justice system. Your job: help them re-engage with learning, regulate emotions, and make safer choices—often in crisis moments.
What You'll Gain - Practical Youth Justice & SEMH Experience
You'll be actively involved in:
- Emotional regulation & de-escalation - supporting pupils in distress or aggression
- Restorative practice - facilitating conversations around harm and repair
- 1:1 & group mentoring - focusing on decision-making, peer pressure, and risk
- Behaviour support - implementing tailored plans with specialist staff
- Safeguarding - risk assessments, incident reporting, and contextual safeguarding (with a focus on gang exits and county lines disruption)
- Knife crime prevention - workshops and reflective discussions on violence and safety
- Trauma-informed practice - building trust with young people who've experienced harm and rejection
Why This Role Is Ideal for Criminal Justice Careers
The school has strong links to Islington's Youth Offending Team (YOT), Early Help, CAMHS, and Forensic/Clinical Psychology pathways. You'll see firsthand how SEMH, trauma, and exclusion predict youth offending—giving you a credible foundation for Forensic Psychology Doctorates.
Learning Support Assistant - SEMH & Youth Justice Pathway - Islington in London 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 Learning Support Assistant - SEMH & Youth Justice Pathway - Islington in London
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Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
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Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
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We think you need these skills to ace Learning Support Assistant - SEMH & Youth Justice Pathway - Islington in London
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Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of AMA Admin. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at AMA Admin. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at AMA Admin
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with AMA Admin.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Learning Support Assistant - SEMH & Youth Justice Pathway - Islington role at AMA Admin, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show AMA Admin that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
