At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people in a proactive role focused on prevention and positive pathways.
- Company: Join Milk Education, the UK's eco-friendly teaching supply agency dedicated to educators.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, excellent pay, exclusive discounts, and access to over 1000 CPD courses.
- Other info: Be part of a safeguarding-focused team with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while building trust and encouraging positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable youth and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27300 - 27300 £ per year.
Location: Newbury
Setting: Specialist Alternative Provision
Contract: Term time | Full-time preferred
About the Role: We are recruiting an Alternative Provision Teaching Assistant – Gang Prevention & Positive Pathways to support young people who may be vulnerable to exploitation, county lines involvement or long-term disengagement from education. This is a proactive early-intervention role focused on prevention, re‑engagement and future planning. You will work closely with learners to build trust, challenge risky behaviours and help them identify positive alternatives and achievable next steps. You will be part of a safeguarding‑focused team committed to creating safe, aspirational pathways for every student.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide classroom and pastoral support within a structured alternative setting
- Deliver targeted interventions around risk awareness, healthy relationships and decision‑making
- Support reintegration into mainstream education, college or vocational pathways where appropriate
- Monitor attendance, engagement and wellbeing
- Contribute to behaviour plans and personalised risk assessments
- Work collaboratively with safeguarding leads and external agencies
- Encourage aspiration, goal setting and positive identity development
- Maintain firm, fair and consistent boundaries
We’re Looking For Someone Who:
- Has experience working with vulnerable or hard‑to‑reach young people
- Understands contextual safeguarding, exploitation risks and youth violence prevention
- Can confidently manage and de‑escalate challenging behaviour
- Is proactive, solution‑focused and resilient
- Has strong communication skills and can build trust quickly
- Believes in prevention, second chances and long‑term positive change
Benefits to YOU:
- Excellent rates of pay
- Speedy registration process & fast‑track compliance
- Flexible days and working hours to suit your schedule
- 5‑Star rated with over 3000 reviews across Google & Facebook
- Exclusive school & trust partnerships
- Access to our FREE Perks Portal – exclusive discounts (our version of the Blue Light Card)
- 1000+ accredited, discounted CPD courses via Milk Academy
- FREE PSHE lesson plans and resources, designed by real teachers
- FREE Educator Wellbeing eBook & access to our wellbeing hub
- School Preparation Pack – be ready for your school placements
- 24/7 support from your personal consultant
- Our Unbottled division brings lived‑experience speakers into schools
- We’re located across England & North Wales with 9 offices
- Join the UK’s only eco‑friendly education supply agency
Milk Education is a purpose‑driven teaching supply agency focused on putting educators first. We’re committed to finding high‑quality teaching talent and supporting schools across the U.K. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited, reflecting our dedication to 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 and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you agree to our Privacy Policy (available on our website). Please note that Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy. Experience in youth work, mentoring, community engagement or preventative programmes would be highly advantageous. DBS on the Update Service preferred or willingness to obtain.
Alternative Provision Teaching Assistant – Gang Prevention & Positive Pathways in Newbury 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 Alternative Provision Teaching Assistant – Gang Prevention & Positive Pathways in Newbury
✨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 Alternative Provision Teaching Assistant – Gang Prevention & Positive Pathways in Newbury
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.
