At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with additional needs in a calm, inclusive environment.
- Company: Specialist further education provider near Gloucester with a caring culture.
- Benefits: £14.25 per hour, hands-on experience, and training in autism-informed practice.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for long-term positions and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while gaining invaluable experience for your future career.
- Qualifications: Psychology or Criminology degree; compassion and patience are key.
The predicted salary is between 14.25 - 14.25 £ per hour.
Psychology and Criminology Graduate Teaching Assistant
Psychology Graduate Jobs | Criminology Graduate Jobs | SEN Teaching Assistant | Near Gloucester | September Start
8:30am to 3:30pm, 4 days per week £14.25 per hour Start Date: September 2026
Are you a Psychology or Criminology graduate looking to gain meaningful, hands-on experience supporting young people with additional needs, autism and mental health challenges?
This is an excellent opportunity for graduates considering careers in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Youth Justice or SEN Education to gain invaluable experience in a specialist further education setting near Gloucester.
You will support young people with autism, learning disabilities, communication needs and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, helping them access education, develop independence and build confidence within a calm, supportive environment.
Why Psychology & Criminology Graduates Are Ideal for This Role
Your degree has given you a strong understanding of behaviour, mental health, communication and human development.
Many students in this specialist college experience anxiety, sensory differences, emotional regulation difficulties or barriers to learning linked to neurodiversity and previous life experiences.
Being able to build trusting relationships, stay calm, understand behaviour as communication and provide consistent support is at the heart of this role.
Your studies will have provided valuable knowledge of
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Behaviour and cognitive development
- Trauma-informed practice
- Communication and relationship building
- Autism and neurodiversity
- Positive behaviour support
- The importance of empathy, safeguarding and consistency
This role allows you to apply that knowledge in a practical setting while developing skills that are highly valued across psychology, healthcare, education and therapeutic professions.
About the Role
As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, you'll work alongside experienced teachers and specialist support staff, helping students both in lessons and around the college campus.
You'll provide personalised support, encourage independence, assist with emotional regulation and help students engage positively with learning and college life.
No two days are the same, making this an incredibly rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys building meaningful relationships and making a genuine difference.
About the Setting
This specialist further education provider is well known for supporting young people with additional learning needs through a highly personalised approach to education.
Set within an extensive rural campus with access to specialist vocational facilities, outdoor learning opportunities and excellent student support services, the environment offers a unique alternative to traditional classroom-based education.
The organisation has been recognised for creating a caring, inclusive culture where students feel safe, respected and encouraged to achieve their individual goals.
Staff work collaboratively to promote independence, wellbeing and preparation for adult life, with strong pastoral support and a genuine commitment to helping every learner succeed.
Key Responsibilities
- Support students during lessons and practical activities
- Build positive and trusting relationships
- Help students regulate emotions using calm, consistent approaches
- Encourage independence and confidence
- Support communication and social interaction
- Adapt support to meet individual learning needs
- Work closely with teachers, therapists and wider support teams
- Promote inclusion, wellbeing and student engagement throughout the college day
- What You'll Gain
- Practical experience supporting young people with SEND
- Experience applying psychological theory in real-life situations
- Training in autism-informed practice and positive behaviour support
- Experience working alongside education and therapy professionals
- Greater understanding of neurodiversity, communication and emotional regulation
• Excellent preparation for careers in
- Educational Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health
- Counselling and Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Social Work
- Youth Justice
- SEN Education
- Opportunity to secure a long-term or permanent position
- Ideal Candidate
We're much more interested in your values than your experience.
You'll be someone who is
- Compassionate and patient
- Curious about behaviour and mental health
- Calm under pressure
- A confident communicator
- Resilient and positive
- Passionate about helping young people achieve their potential
Graduates in Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Education or related subjects are encouraged to apply.
Experience working with young people through education, youth work, sports coaching, care, mentoring, support work or volunteering is welcomed but not essential.
If you're looking for a rewarding graduate role where you can develop valuable experience supporting young people with autism, learning disabilities and SEMH needs while preparing for a future career in psychology, mental health or education, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today to be considered for this role
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pyschology and Criminology Graduate Teaching Assistant
✨Get Involved in Local Psychology Events
Jump into some local psychology meetups or seminars. These events are a goldmine for networking and learning about internship opportunities. Plus, you can get to know people who could potentially help you land a gig at cool places like Axcis Education!
✨Utilise Your University Career Services
Don’t sleep on your university's career services! They often have exclusive partnerships with local companies for internships, including your dream role at Axcis Education. Make an appointment and get them to help you polish your pitch and find openings.
✨Join Online Psychology Communities
Engage in online forums or social media groups focused on psychology. Sites like Reddit, or even Facebook groups, can be fantastic spots to hear about internships and get advice from those who've been through it.
✨Connect with Professors and Alumni
Leverage your professors and alumni networks! They often have industry contacts and can give you the inside scoop on internship opportunities at places like Axcis Education. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help – most will be more than happy to assist!
We think you need these skills to ace Pyschology and Criminology Graduate Teaching Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Psychology:In your cover letter, we want to see your enthusiasm for the field of psychology! Mention specific areas that fascinate you and how this internship at Axcis Education aligns with your career goals. Make it personal—share any relevant experiences that sparked your interest in psychology.
Highlight Relevant Coursework and Projects:Don’t forget to showcase your academic achievements! Include coursework related to psychology that could be relevant for the internship. We love seeing projects or research papers you’ve worked on, so if you've conducted any studies or have results to share, put those in your CV or cover letter to highlight your practical knowledge.
Emphasise Your Learning Potential:As this is an internship, we want to know what you hope to learn and gain from this experience at Axcis Education. In your cover letter, express your willingness to develop specific skills or knowledge areas during your time with us. Demonstrating a learning mindset can really make you stand out!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Your CV should reflect your dedication to psychology—make sure to include any relevant volunteer work, internships, or extracurriculars. If you've attended workshops or conferences, jot those down too! Just like we tailor our study resources, you should tailor your CV to highlight what makes you a great fit for this internship at Axcis Education.
How to prepare for a job interview at Axcis Education
✨Know Your Theories
Brush up on key psychology theories and concepts relevant to the position at Axcis Education. We might get asked to explain how these theories apply in real-life scenarios, so think about practical examples that showcase your understanding.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
As an intern, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn can set you apart. Prepare to discuss why you're interested in psychology and what draws you to Axcis Education specifically. This is your chance to show that you're not just looking for any internship, but that you genuinely want to grow in this field.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play
Expect some role-playing exercises in the interview, especially if you're applying for a position that involves client interaction. Practising how you’d handle specific psychological scenarios or dialogues can really show us your potential and approach to real-world problems.
✨Show Off Your Projects
If you've completed any relevant projects, whether academic or voluntary, have them ready to discuss. Highlight what you learned, any methodologies you used, and how these experiences prepared you for your internship at Axcis Education. This showcases your practical skills in a field where theory meets application.
