At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children in a specialist SEMH school, focusing on emotional regulation and behaviour support.
- Company: Milk Education, a 5-star rated agency committed to wellbeing and social justice.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, and access to over 1,000 accredited CPD courses.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and build a foundation for a career in criminal justice or mental health.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in youth justice and make a real difference in young lives.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields 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
This school sits within a wider London‑and‑Slough safeguarding network, with strong links to:
- Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)
- Early Help and Family Support Services
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- Forensic and Clinical Psychology pathways
You will see firsthand how SEMH needs, unmet trauma, and school exclusion are among the strongest predictors of youth offending. This experience will give you a credible, practice‑based foundation for future applications to:
- Forensic Psychology Doctorates
- Youth Justice & Probation Graduate Schemes
- Social Work (Children & Families)
- Clinical Psychology (particularly in CAMHS or secure settings)
- Counselling and Therapeutic Services
Training & Professional Development – Fully Funded
Milk Education provides career‑focused CPD tailored to graduates pursuing criminal justice and mental health careers:
- Trauma‑Informed Practice
- Behaviour De‑escalation & Positive Handling
- Contextual Safeguarding & Exploitation Awareness
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
- Restorative Practice & Conflict Resolution
- Knife Crime & Serious Violence Prevention
You will also receive free access to Milk Academy, with over 1,000 accredited CPD courses—many directly relevant to your future career.
Who We Are Looking For
- Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Youth & Community Work, or related Social Science disciplines
- Individuals who are calm, reflective, emotionally intelligent, and comfortable working with high‑risk, challenging behaviour
- People who understand that behaviour is communication—and who are committed to early intervention, not punishment
- Graduates who are passionate about violence reduction, safeguarding, and social justice
- Candidates who can commit to the full academic year (September 2026 – July 2027) and who want to use this role as a launchpad into the criminal justice or mental health workforce
Key Information
- Location: Slough (easily commutable from West London, with excellent rail and road links)
- Pay: £101.40 per day
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:45pm (term time only)
- Start Date: September 2026
- Interviews & Trial Days: July – August 2026
Why Milk Education?
- 5-star rated agency with over 3,000 reviews
- Wellbeing‑led – access to a mental health platform with counselling support
- Eco‑friendly – the UK’s only environmentally conscious education agency
- 24/7 consultant support – a dedicated point of contact for you
- Free wellbeing resources, PSHE materials, and school preparation packs
- Access to Unbottled – bringing lived‑experience speakers into schools to talk about violence, exploitation, and resilience
- Flexible registration and fast‑track compliance
Aspiring Youth Justice/Criminal Justice/Social Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant 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 Justice/Criminal Justice/Social Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
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.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
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.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Milk Education, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
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's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Milk Education. 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 Milk Education. 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 Milk Education
✨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 Milk Education.
✨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 Aspiring Youth Justice/Criminal Justice/Social Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant role at Milk Education, 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 Milk Education that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
