At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with complex needs and apply psychological theories in real-world settings.
- Company: Join Milk Education, a leading eco-friendly education supply agency.
- Benefits: Earn £108 per day, enjoy flexible hours, and access free CPD courses.
- Other info: Trial days available in September 2026 to explore the role.
- Why this job: Gain invaluable clinical experience to boost your psychology career aspirations.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Psychology or related fields with a passion for mental health.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
Are you a Psychology or Humanities graduate with your sights set on clinical psychology training? Do you want to move beyond textbooks and into the clinical reality of complex human distress? This is not a standard teaching assistant role. This is a pre-clinical placement—an opportunity to work with students with Profound Multiple Difficulties (PMD), where neurodevelopmental, psychological, and social factors converge. We are looking for graduates who can formulate, not just observe; who understand that behaviour is a symptom, not the presenting problem.
The Role: Student Support Mentor – Clinical & Pastoral Support
Location: Islington
Pay: £108 per day
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm (Term Time Only)
Start Date: September 2026
Trial Days: To be confirmed (W/C 7th September 2026)
Future Opportunities: Additional roles available
Who You Will Be Supporting – A Clinical Profile
You will work with students whose presentations would feature in any clinical caseload, often presenting with:
- Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) with co-occurring SEMH
- Complex Developmental Trauma and disorganised attachment (consistent with C-PTSD)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile within autism spectrum conditions
- Chronic anxiety disorders manifesting as fight/flight/freeze/hide responses
- Sensory processing differences affecting interoception and emotional regulation
- Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) traits in adolescence
- Selective mutism and severe communication impairment
- Historical exclusion and institutional trauma from repeated school breakdowns
- Profound social isolation and relationship difficulties consistent with attachment disorders
These are students who have complex, multi-agency histories—and your role is to understand the formulation, not just manage the behaviour.
Your Experience – Clinical Skills in Practice
You will translate your academic background into clinically relevant experience by:
- Conducting 1:1 and small-group mentoring informed by psychological formulation (5Ps framework: presenting, predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, protective factors)
- Using clinical frameworks—including attachment theory (Bowlby), Polyvagal Theory (Porges), trauma-informed practice (Harris & Fallot), and cognitive-behavioural principles
- Supporting emotional regulation through co-regulation, sensory modulation, and grounding techniques
- Contributing to multi-disciplinary team (MDT) discussions alongside CAMHS, educational psychology, and social care
- Observing, recording, and contributing to behaviour formulations using ABC charts and functional analysis
- Implementing therapeutic approaches in an educational context—CBT-informed, DBT-informed, and narrative-based interventions
- Supporting classroom learning with a focus on psychoeducation and accessible delivery
- Building therapeutic relationships with students who have experienced repeated relational ruptures and placement breakdowns
- Gaining exposure to risk assessment, safeguarding procedures, and care planning
Why This Role Is Invaluable for Clinical Psychology Applications
If you are an aspiring Clinical Psychologist, this role offers direct, transferable experience that will strengthen your DClinPsy application:
- Direct clinical experience with a high-need, complex cohort—essential for clinical psychology entry
- Exposure to psychopathology across developmental, emotional, and behavioural domains
- Practical application of core clinical competencies: assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation
- Insight into systemic factors (poverty, inequality, ACEs) and their impact on mental health
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working—mirroring NHS and CAMHS team structures
- Understanding of the care pathway from education settings to specialist mental health services
- A foundation in therapeutic alliance—the single most important predictor of clinical outcomes
- Reflective practice skills developed through supervision and real-world casework
Why Milk Education?
For Graduates on the Clinical Pathway
- CPD Aligned with Clinical Competencies: Free training in Trauma-Informed Practice, Attachment Theory, Neurodiversity, Safeguarding, and De-escalation
- Clinical Supervision Mindset: Your dedicated consultant understands the DClinPsy application process and can signpost relevant experience
- Wellbeing Support: Access to a mental health platform with counselling—essential for those working with high-distress populations
- Reflective Practice: Opportunities to engage with supervision-style debrief and case reflection
Benefits You’ll Receive
- Competitive daily pay (£108)
- Fast-track registration and compliance
- Flexible working opportunities
- Free access to Milk Academy (1,000+ CPD courses)
- 5-star rated agency with 3,000+ reviews
- FREE wellbeing resources and school preparation materials
- 24/7 consultant support
- Work with the UK’s only eco-friendly education supply agency
- Nationwide school and trust network
Who We’re Looking For
Graduates in Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, English, History, Politics, or related Humanities/Social Science disciplines
Aspiring Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Psychotherapists, or Mental Health Professionals
Individuals with a critical, formulation-driven approach to understanding human behaviour and systemic barriers
Calm, empathetic, and resilient—able to hold distress without collusion or rejection
Passionate about social justice, inclusion, and the transformative power of therapeutic relationships
Graduates who see behaviour as communication—and distress as an invitation to understand, not to pathologise
Applicants who can demonstrate reflective capacity and emotional intelligence
Trial Days – September 2026
We will be hosting trial days during the week commencing 7th September 2026. This is your chance to experience the school environment, meet the clinical and pastoral teams, and see if this role aligns with your clinical psychology career ambitions.
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.
Psychology & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Islington 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 & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Islington in London
✨Engage with University Career Services
Alright, so if you're on the hunt for a psychology placement, hit up your uni's career services. They often have specific resources, workshops, and connections to organisations looking for students like us. Plus, they might even help you prep for interviews and offer guidance on how to stand out!
✨Tap into Psychology Networks
Don’t forget to check out psychology-specific forums and communities online—places like the British Psychological Society and various Facebook groups are goldmines for placement opportunities. Connecting with current professionals in these networks can give us a leg up and might even lead to insider tips on openings at places like Milk Education.
✨Attend Psychology Events and Workshops
Get yourself to psychology conferences, workshops, or local talks! These events are not only great for learning but also for meeting potential employers and mentors. They could provide some solid networking opportunities that may lead you directly to a placement at Milk Education.
✨Show Your Passion Online
Start a blog or an online portfolio where you can share your interest in psychology—think case studies, reflections, or research discoveries. This not only showcases your enthusiasm but also increases your visibility in the field. When applying for placements, we can link them to your writings and give potential employers a taste of your perspective!
We think you need these skills to ace Psychology & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Islington in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off Your Passion for Psychology:In your application, let your enthusiasm for psychology shine through! Talk about your journey so far, what drives you in this field, and why you want to join Milk Education as a Psychology & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Islington. This is a placement, so illustrate how keen you are to learn and contribute.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you haven’t had loads of professional experience, detail any relevant projects or volunteer work related to psychology. Whether it’s a psychology-related coursework or practical experience through internships or class projects, make sure to include it as it demonstrates your application of knowledge.
Connect the Dots:Don’t just list your qualifications—link them to the skills the placement requires! For psychology roles, it can be pivotal to mention your skills in research, analysis, and communication. Show how these skills are not just theoretical but practical and how you can use them at Milk Education.
Tailor Your Documents:Make sure your CV and cover letter are specifically tailored for this role at Milk Education. Don’t forget to mention any psychological theories or approaches you’re particularly interested in, along with any relevant academic achievements that set you apart from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milk Education
✨Prep Your Psychological Toolbox
In the world of psychology, it’s crucial to be familiar with different theories and practices. Brush up on key psychological models and be prepared to discuss how you might apply them in real-world contexts, especially during case study questions. This could showcase your readiness for the placement at Milk Education.
✨Showcase Your Empathy Skills
Interviewers in psychology often look for interpersonal skills. Think about your experiences where you used empathy or active listening effectively. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight how these skills can impact client interactions or team dynamics—it's what they want to hear for placements.
✨Demonstrate Your Research Interest
Don’t forget to mention any research you've done in your field. Whether it’s a project from uni or a report you found fascinating, showing your active interest in psychology will resonate well with the interviewers. It reveals your initiative and eagerness to learn on placement at Milk Education.
✨Prepare for Hypothetical Scenarios
Many psychology placements include role-play or situational judgement tests during interviews. Be ready to think on your feet! Practise how you might respond to common scenarios you might face in your role, like dealing with difficult emotions or ethical dilemmas, to really impress at Milk Education.
