At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with complex needs, focusing on autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Company: Milk Education, a leading eco-friendly education supply agency.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, free training, and 24/7 consultant support.
- Other info: Trial days available in September 2026 to explore the role.
- Why this job: Gain invaluable clinical experience while making a real difference in students' lives.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Psychology or related fields with a passion for mental health.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ 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, particularly within autism and neurodevelopmental presentations?
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) and high-support autism, 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: Haringey
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, with a particular emphasis on high-support autism and co-occurring complexities, often presenting with:
- High-Support Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) – students requiring significant adaptive support across communication, sensory, and social domains
- Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) with co-occurring SEMH
- Complex Developmental Trauma and disorganised attachment (consistent with C-PTSD)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile – a distinct autism presentation characterised by extreme anxiety-driven avoidance
- Chronic anxiety disorders manifesting as fight/flight/freeze/hide responses, often triggered by sensory overload or social demands
- Significant sensory processing differences – including hyper/hyposensitivity, proprioceptive and interoceptive difficulties affecting emotional regulation
- Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) traits in adolescence
- Selective mutism and severe communication impairment – often requiring AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) support
- Historical exclusion and institutional trauma from repeated school breakdowns
- Profound social isolation and relationship difficulties consistent with attachment disorders and autistic social cognition differences
- Echolalia, scripting, and stimming as forms of communication and self-regulation
These are students who have complex, multi-agency histories—and your role is to understand the formulation, not just manage the behaviour. You will develop a deep appreciation for the autistic experience and the intersection of neurodiversity with trauma and mental health.
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), with a specific focus on autism-specific formulations
- Using clinical frameworks—including attachment theory (Bowlby), Polyvagal Theory (Porges), trauma-informed practice (Harris & Fallot), cognitive-behavioural principles, and neuro-affirmative approaches
- Supporting emotional regulation through co-regulation, sensory modulation, grounding techniques, and autism-specific regulation strategies
- Implementing low-arousal approaches and de-escalation strategies tailored to autistic students with high anxiety and demand avoidance
- Contributing to multi-disciplinary team (MDT) discussions alongside CAMHS, educational psychology, social care, and speech & language therapists (SaLTs)
- Observing, recording, and contributing to behaviour formulations using ABC charts, functional analysis, and sensory profiling
- Implementing therapeutic approaches in an educational context—CBT-informed, DBT-informed, narrative-based, and autism-affirming interventions
- Supporting classroom learning with a focus on psychoeducation, accessible delivery, and sensory-friendly environments
- Building therapeutic relationships with students who have experienced repeated relational ruptures and placement breakdowns
- Gaining exposure to risk assessment, safeguarding procedures, and care planning
- Developing an understanding of autistic masking, burnout, and the impact of late diagnosis
- Supporting transitions between settings—a critical period for autistic students
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, with a specialist focus on autism:
- Direct clinical experience with a high-need, complex cohort—essential for clinical psychology entry, including significant exposure to autism and neurodevelopmental presentations
- Exposure to psychopathology across developmental, emotional, and behavioural domains, with specialist insight into autistic mental health
- Practical application of core clinical competencies: assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation—with autism-specific formulations
- Insight into systemic factors (poverty, inequality, ACEs) and their impact on mental health in autistic populations
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working—mirroring NHS and CAMHS team structures, including autism assessment pathways
- Understanding of the care pathway from education settings to specialist mental health services, including CAMHS neurodevelopmental teams
- A foundation in therapeutic alliance—the single most important predictor of clinical outcomes, particularly crucial for autistic individuals who may have experienced relational trauma
- Reflective practice skills developed through supervision and real-world casework
- Specialist knowledge in autism-affirming practice, sensory processing, and PDA—highly valued in clinical psychology training
- Exposure to the social model of disability and neurodiversity paradigm—critical for culturally competent clinical practice
Why Milk Education?
For Graduates on the Clinical Pathway
- CPD Aligned with Clinical Competencies: Free training in Trauma-Informed Practice, Attachment Theory, Autism & Neurodiversity, PDA, 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 with a particular interest in autism and neurodevelopmental conditions
- 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
- Those who understand the neurodiversity paradigm and are committed to autism-affirming practice
- Individuals with patience, flexibility, and creativity—essential when supporting students with high-support needs
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 – Haringey 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 – Haringey
✨Get Involved with Psychology Networks
Join local psychology groups or online forums to connect with professionals and get the inside scoop on temporary opportunities. Engaging in these communities can lead to recommendations that might not be advertised anywhere else!
✨Showcase Your Skills with Voluntary Work
Consider taking on voluntary roles in mental health charities or community programmes. This not only builds your experience but also helps you make valuable connections that could lead to temporary positions.
✨Keep Your Applications Customised and Fresh
Given the temporary nature of the roles, be super quick with your applications. Tailor your cover letter to highlight your adaptability and readiness for immediate start dates, and don't hesitate to apply through our website for the best chances!
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs or workshops specifically aimed at psychology students and graduates. These events are perfect for networking and discovering temporary roles directly with employers—plus you can often leave a lasting impression in-person!
We think you need these skills to ace Psychology & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Haringey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Academic Background:In the psychology field, highlighting your academic achievements is crucial. Make sure your CV emphasises your relevant coursework, grades, and any special projects or research you've undertaken in psychology. We want to see how your studies have prepared you for the role at Milk Education.
Tailor Your Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine. Focus on your passion for psychology and how this temporary role fits into your career goals. Discuss any relevant experiences or skills that make you a great fit for Psychology & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Haringey at Milk Education and tie it back to your motivation for applying.
Mention Any Relevant Experience:Whether it’s internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs, relevant experience can set you apart. Highlight any practical applications of psychology you've been involved with, such as counselling, research assistance, or community outreach. It's all about demonstrating your hands-on understanding of the field!
Stay Flexible and Open-Minded:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your cover letter. Let Milk Education know that you're ready to jump in and learn, and that you can handle quick changes in tasks. We want to see how you'll thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milk Education
✨Showcase Your Empathy Skills
In psychology, your ability to connect with others is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've demonstrated empathy and understanding in past roles or academic projects. Prepare a couple of real-life examples from your studies or any volunteer work that showcase your strength in this area.
✨Understand the Role’s Context
A temporary position in psychology may involve specific populations or clinical settings. Familiarise yourself with any special considerations or methodologies that apply to the context of the job at Milk Education. This could include particular therapeutic approaches or assessment tools - knowing these can set you apart.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet and apply psychological principles in real-world scenarios. Practise how you would approach a hypothetical situation, perhaps dealing with a distressed client or assessing their needs. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities effectively.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to adapt quickly to new environments and challenges. Be sure to emphasise your ability to step into various roles or tasks as needed. Share examples that show how you've thrived in changing situations or learned new skills rapidly.
