At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students in a secondary school, helping them engage with education and manage emotions.
- Company: Join a leading education agency dedicated to youth justice and social support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, free training, and access to wellbeing resources.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience and develop skills in mentoring, behaviour management, and trauma-informed practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building your career in youth justice.
- Qualifications: Criminology or Psychology graduates passionate about social justice and supporting vulnerable learners.
The predicted salary is between 27353 - 33431 £ per year.
Role: Student Support Mentor (SEMH & Vulnerable Learners)
Location: Camberwell | Pay: £115.90/day | Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30am–3:30pm (term time only)
Start Date: September 2026 (with additional roles available throughout the academic year)
Are you a Criminology or Psychology Graduate with a passion for youth justice, social justice, and working with vulnerable and challenging children? This is your opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience supporting young people at risk of exclusion, persistent absence, and criminal exploitation—while building a strong foundation for a career in youth justice, forensic psychology, or social work.
The Role: Learning Support Assistant in Camberwell
Based within a secondary school in Camberwell, you will work closely with the pastoral, SEN, and teaching teams to support the most vulnerable pupils. Many of these students present with:
- Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs
- Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Anxiety, low mood, anger, or emotionally driven behaviour
- Challenging or disruptive behaviour linked to unmet needs
- Undiagnosed SEN or additional learning needs
- Significant barriers to attendance, engagement, and learning
- Sensory processing difficulties and motor skill challenges
Your role will be to help these students regulate their emotions, rebuild trust, develop functional independence, and re-engage with education. You will work 1:1 and in small groups, using trauma-informed, relational, and restorative approaches to support behaviour change and improved outcomes.
What You Will Gain:
This role offers exceptional experience for graduates pursuing careers in:
- Youth Justice
- Probation Services
- Forensic Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Work
- Mental Health and Therapy
Your daily experience will include:
- Mentoring vulnerable pupils to improve attendance, punctuality, and engagement
- Supporting emotional regulation, self-control, and positive behaviour
- Implementing personalised behaviour and support strategies
- Using restorative practice and de-escalation techniques
- Delivering sensory breaks and movement-based interventions
- Supporting students with fine motor difficulties and functional independence
- Assisting with transitions and daily school routines
- Gaining exposure to safeguarding, pastoral care, and behaviour management
- Building trusting, consistent relationships with disengaged or high-risk learners
- Understanding the link between trauma, behaviour, and social inequality
Why This Role Is Invaluable for Your Career:
You will develop:
- A deep understanding of adolescent behaviour, SEMH, and the psychology of offending
- Insight into how trauma, poverty, and systemic disadvantage impact young people
- Practical skills in mentoring, motivation, de-escalation, and relationship-based practice
- Knowledge of sensory processing and OT-informed interventions
- A critical understanding of social justice and early intervention as a tool for diversion from the criminal justice system
What We Offer:
- Training & CPD
- Free CPD including SEMH, Trauma-Informed Practice, Behaviour & De-escalation, Safeguarding, and Mental Health Awareness
- Training in sensory integration and OT-informed approaches
- Career-focused development aligned with youth justice, criminology, and therapy pathways
Wellbeing & Support
- Access to a mental health and wellbeing platform (including counselling)
- A dedicated consultant who understands your long-term career goals
Benefits for You:
- Competitive daily pay (£115.90)
- Fast-track registration and compliance
- Flexible working opportunities
- 5-star rated agency with 3,000+ reviews
- Free access to Milk Academy (1,000+ discounted CPD courses)
- FREE wellbeing resources and school preparation materials
- 24/7 consultant support
- Work with the UK’s only eco-friendly education supply agency
- Nationwide network of schools and trusts
Who We’re Looking For:
- Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Science graduates
- Aspiring Youth Justice Officers, Probation Officers, Forensic Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, or Mental Health Practitioners
- Calm, empathetic, and resilient individuals
- Graduates passionate about supporting students with SEMH needs and advocating for social justice
- Those motivated to improve attendance, attainment, and wellbeing to divert young people from the criminal justice system
- Candidates confident building relationships with challenging or disengaged learners
- Those with an interest in sensory processing, motor development, and how daily activities support mental health
- A genuine commitment to working with vulnerable and challenging children and a belief in restorative and relational practice
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.
Learning Support Assistant – Criminology Graduate – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer Camberwell 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 Learning Support Assistant – Criminology Graduate – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer Camberwell
✨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 Learning Support Assistant – Criminology Graduate – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer Camberwell
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.
