At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with emotional regulation and behaviour management in a specialist SEMH school.
- Company: Milk Education, a leading agency focused on youth and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, free CPD courses, flexible work, and 24/7 support.
- Other info: Ideal for aspiring Forensic Psychologists and Youth Justice practitioners.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in knife crime prevention and youth mental health.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
SEMH School – Focus: Social Challenges, Emotional Regulation & Knife Crime Intervention
Start Date: September 2026
Are you a Criminology Graduate in Hackney seeking front-line experience before progressing into Forensic/Clinical Psychology, Youth Justice, or Mental Health Services? Want a role centred on early intervention, behaviour support, safeguarding, and knife crime prevention? Milk Education is recruiting Criminology and Social Science graduates for a specialist SEMH school in Hackney.
The Role – SEN Learning Support Assistant
- Location: Hackney
- Pay: £108 per day
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30am–3:45pm (term time only)
- Interviews & Trial Days: Commencing September 2026
This SEMH provision supports pupils with needs linked to trauma, ACEs, community violence, exploitation, and knife crime. Many present with challenging behaviour and difficulty forming trusting relationships. Ideal for calm, resilient graduates passionate about intervention and prevention.
Your Experience Will Include:
- Supporting emotional regulation, self-esteem, and pro-social behaviour
- Assisting with behaviour management and crisis de-escalation
- Restorative conversations, conflict resolution, and mentoring (1:1 and groups)
- Developing coping strategies, emotional literacy, and safer decision-making
- Exposure to trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, risk assessment, and contextual safeguarding
- Preventative work around knife crime, exploitation, peer pressure, and criminalisation
Excellent preparation for Forensic Psychology, Youth Justice, Probation, Social Work, Counselling, and Mental Health careers.
Why Milk Education?
- Free CPD: Trauma-Informed Practice, De-escalation, Safeguarding, Youth Mental Health, Restorative Practice
- Wellbeing: Counselling services and dedicated consultant support
- Benefits: Competitive pay, fast-track registration, flexible work, 5-star agency, free Milk Academy access to 1,000+ CPD courses, FREE wellbeing resources, 24/7 support, Unbottled lived-experience speakers, eco-friendly agency, national school network
We’re Looking For:
- Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Youth & Community, or Social Science
- Aspiring Forensic Psychologists, Youth Justice, or Mental Health practitioners
- Passionate about early intervention, violence reduction, and safeguarding
- Calm, resilient, emotionally intelligent, comfortable supporting challenging behaviour
- Motivated to make a real impact in knife crime prevention and youth mental health
Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education and APSCo guidelines. Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy, available on our website. Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
Aspiring Youth/Criminal/Social Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Hackney employer: Milk Education
Milk Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Liverpool. With significant progression pathways, generous incentives, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 23 days off annually plus bank holidays.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aspiring Youth/Criminal/Social Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Hackney
✨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 Milk Education.
✨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 Milk Education!
✨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 Milk Education, 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 Milk Education 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/Criminal/Social Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Hackney
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 Milk Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milk Education! 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 Milk Education
✨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.
