At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students, helping them engage with education and manage their emotions.
- Company: Join a leading agency focused on youth justice and social impact.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and access to extensive training resources.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills for future roles in psychology and social work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building your career in youth justice.
- Qualifications: Psychology or Criminology graduates passionate about social justice and supporting vulnerable learners.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Role: Student Support Mentor (SEMH & Vulnerable Learners)
Location: West Drayton | 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 Psychology or Criminology 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: Student Support Mentor in West Drayton
Based within a secondary school in West Drayton, 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, psychology, 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:
- Psychology, Criminology, 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
Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer in London 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 Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer in London
✨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 Milk 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 Milk 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 Milk 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 Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer in London
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 Milk 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 Milk 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 Milk Education.
How to prepare for a job interview at Milk Education
✨Know Your Theories
Brush up on key psychology theories and concepts relevant to the position at Milk 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 Milk 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 Milk Education. This showcases your practical skills in a field where theory meets application.
