Graduate Youth Worker - Behaviour Support in Siston

Location: Fishponds, Bristol

Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm

Pay: From £450/week

Start date: ASAP, or 20th May

Are you a recent graduate with a passion for supporting young people who face social, emotional, or behavioural challenges? Do you want to make a real difference in a setting designed to re‑engage learners who have struggled in mainstream education? We are recruiting for a Graduate Youth Worker to join a specialist alternative provision in East Bristol that supports students from KS1‑KS4 with significant behavioural, social, and emotional needs. This is an opportunity to work with young people who often display complex behaviours rooted in trauma, disengagement, and unmet needs — in a setting well‑known for its relational, restorative, and therapeutic approaches.

About the Setting

This alternative provision offers high levels of pastoral support, small class sizes, and personalised learning for pupils who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion. Many students present with challenging behaviour, emotional regulation difficulties, low self‑esteem, and barriers linked to trauma or unstable home environments. The staff team works closely with external agencies, youth services, pastoral teams, and mental health professionals to create a safe, consistent space where young people can rebuild confidence and re‑engage with learning. The academy offers ongoing coaching, specialist training, and the chance to work within a highly committed and experienced behaviour support team.

Why This Role is Perfect for a Graduate Exploring Youth Work or Behaviour Support

This placement gives you real, front‑line experience with young people whose needs go far beyond the classroom. You will:

• Develop advanced behaviour management skills, including de‑escalation and restorative approaches
• Build strong, trusting relationships with young people who may struggle to connect with adults
• Gain insight into ACEs, attachment, trauma, adverse experiences, and contextual safeguarding
• Learn modern practice models used by youth offending teams, pastoral services, and mental health professionals
• Support young people in crisis, helping them regulate, reflect, and re‑engage
• Strengthen your confidence working with challenging behaviour, conflict, and emotional dysregulation
• See real progress over time as pupils build resilience, self‑esteem, and coping strategies

This experience is extremely valuable for future applications to youth work, social care, mental health roles, or further training in therapeutic or behavioural careers.

What You’ll Gain

• First‑hand experience with young people facing significant behavioural and emotional challenges
• Specialist training in trauma‑informed practice, relational approaches, and behaviour de‑escalation
• Experience collaborating with pastoral teams, safeguarding leads, and external agencies
• A deeper understanding of adolescent behaviour, motivation, and risk factors
• A pathway into long‑term AP/SEND careers or postgraduate training
• Opportunity for a permanent position for strong performers

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils one‑to‑one and in small groups within an alternative provision environment
• Building positive relationships and acting as a consistent, trusted adult
• Helping students regulate emotions and de‑escalate challenging situations
• Leading or supporting therapeutic, enrichment, or engagement sessions
• Using restorative practices to support conflict resolution
• Encouraging attendance, participation, and positive behaviour choices
• Working closely with teachers, behaviour leads, and multi‑agency teams to keep pupils safe and supported

Who We’re Looking For

• A graduate in Youth Work, Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, or a related degree.
• Experience supporting young people (youth clubs, mentoring, camps, schools, care, coaching, etc.).
• Someone resilient, calm, reflective, and confident working with challenging behaviour.
• A strong communicator who can build rapport quickly.
• Someone adaptable, patient, and committed to helping young people succeed.
• An enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to obtain one).

Why Work with Axcis Education

• We specialise in SEND and alternative provision recruitment
• Ongoing coaching, training, and support
• Competitive weekly pay
• Opportunities to build strong experience for future social care or behavioural careers
• Supportive consultants who understand the complexities of AP settings

If you want a career where every day is different, meaningful, and focused on helping young people make positive change, apply now for an ASAP or summer‑term start.