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: 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 to boost your psychology career aspirations.
- 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? 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 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
✨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 & Humanities Graduate – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Islington
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.
