At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people in a secondary school and alternative provision setting.
- Company: Join a leading education agency dedicated to youth justice and social care.
- Benefits: Earn £108 per day, enjoy flexible hours, and access exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills for future roles in youth justice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while kickstarting your career in youth justice.
- Qualifications: Ideal for criminology, psychology, or sociology graduates with a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Starting September 2026! Pay: £108 per day. Location: Ealing. Start Date: September 2026 (flexible intake). Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 3:45 pm, term time only. Training: Full education, training, and CPD provided.
Are you a criminology, psychology, or sociology graduate looking for the perfect role to launch your career in youth justice? This Learning Support Assistant position is an ideal opportunity to gain substantial hands-on experience working with vulnerable young people in a secondary school and alternative provision setting in Ealing. You will be supporting students who face complex barriers to learning, including social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, challenging behaviour, and involvement with the criminal justice system. The school and its alternative provision provide a structured, supportive, and restorative environment for young people who have struggled in mainstream education. By utilising trauma-informed practices and positive behaviour management strategies, the team supports pupils in re-engaging with education, developing pro-social skills, and building pathways toward positive futures. This role offers an excellent foundation for graduates aiming to progress into youth justice, probation, policing, social work, or forensic psychology.
The Role – A Stepping Stone into Youth and Social Justice
Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited, reflecting our dedication to the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to thorough compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.
This Learning Support Assistant role within a secondary school and alternative provision offers the opportunity to:
- Gain In-Depth Experience: Support vulnerable young people on both an individual and small-group basis, developing a profound understanding of the factors that lead to youth offending, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), SEMH needs, and behavioural challenges.
- Apply Restorative and Behavioural Principles: Observe and participate in the application of restorative justice approaches, de-escalation techniques, and positive behaviour support strategies used to manage conflict and repair relationships.
- Work with a Multi-Agency Team: Collaborate closely with teachers, pastoral staff, SENCOs, and external agencies such as social care and youth offending teams (YOTs), gaining insight into holistic interventions and the multi-agency approach central to youth justice.
- Build Core Professional Skills: Develop essential skills for a career in youth justice, including rapport-building with hard-to-reach young people, boundary setting, risk assessment, reflective practice, and professional report writing.
- Make a Real Difference: Have a meaningful impact on young people’s life chances by supporting their personal development, reducing barriers to education, and helping to steer them away from involvement in the justice system.
A Focus on Youth & Social Justice: Engaging Autistic Young People in the Community
This role offers a unique and powerful opportunity to explore the intersection of neurodiversity, social justice, and youth offending. Autistic children and young people are disproportionately vulnerable to criminalisation and social exclusion, often due to misunderstandings around their communication styles, sensory needs, and social interactions being misinterpreted as challenging or oppositional behaviour. As a Learning Support Assistant in Ealing, you will play a crucial role in breaking this cycle.
- Champion Neuro-Inclusive Practice: Learn to identify and support the specific needs of autistic young people, using tailored communication strategies, sensory regulation techniques, and predictable routines to create a safe, accessible learning environment. This directly reduces the risk of conflict and exclusion.
- Bridge the Gap Between Education and Community: Work with young people to develop essential life and social skills that empower them to navigate their community safely and successfully. By building their confidence and self-advocacy, you help prevent the social isolation that nets them targets for exploitation or disengagement.
- Apply a Social Justice Lens: Understand how systemic barriers, diagnostic delays, and a lack of appropriate support can push autistic young people toward the margins. Your work will be rooted in the principle that every young person deserves a fair chance, and that true youth justice means addressing underlying needs rather than simply punishing behaviour.
- Build Trusting Relationships: Develop the patience and empathy needed to connect with young people who may have had negative experiences with authority figures. By offering consistent, unconditional positive regard, you can become a trusted adult who helps them see a different path forward.
- Influence Future Practice: The insights you gain from this frontline role will be invaluable for your future career in youth justice, probation, or social work, equipping you with a deep, practical understanding of neurodiversity and its critical importance in fair and effective interventions.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A strong academic background in criminology, psychology, sociology, or a related discipline, with a clear interest in youth justice, offending behaviour, or social care.
- Previous experience supporting children or young people, particularly those with challenging behaviour, SEMH needs, or autism (desirable but not essential; passion and the right attitude are key).
- A resilient, patient, and empathetic approach, with the ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with young people who may be disengaged or mistrustful of authority.
- A genuine commitment to helping young people make positive changes and access better opportunities.
- A proactive, reflective attitude and a willingness to learn within a specialist setting.
This role is more than just a job; it is a valuable stepping stone for aspiring youth justice officers and allied professionals, providing practical, front-line experience that directly supports your long-term professional development and future applications.
Benefits to YOU
- Excellent rates of pay – £108 per day.
- Speedy registration process with fast-track compliance.
- Flexible working days and hours to suit your schedule (term time only).
- 5-star rated agency with over 3,000 reviews across Google and Facebook.
- Exclusive partnerships with schools and trusts in the Ealing area.
- FREE access to our Perks Portal, offering discounts similar to the Blue Light Card.
- Access to 1,000+ accredited and discounted CPD courses through Milk Academy.
- FREE PSHE lesson plans and classroom resources, created by qualified teachers.
- FREE Educator Wellbeing eBook and access to our wellbeing hub, including CPD and fitness modules.
- School Preparation Pack to support you ahead of your placements.
- 24/7 support from your dedicated personal consultant.
- Access to our Unbottled programme, bringing lived-experience speakers into schools to cover topics such as mental health, discrimination, and exploitation.
- Join the UK’s only eco-friendly education supply agency.
Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Ealing 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 Officer – Learning Support Assistant Ealing
✨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 Officer – Learning Support Assistant Ealing
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 Officer – Learning Support Assistant Ealing 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.
