Psychology Grad- Special Needs Classroom Worker

Location: Barnet

Start Date: ASAP or September 2026

Are you a Psychology graduate looking to apply your knowledge in a rewarding, hands-on environment while making a meaningful difference to the lives of children with additional needs? We are seeking a compassionate, resilient, and enthusiastic Psychology Graduate to join a specialist primary school supporting pupils with a range of complex needs, particularly Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). This role offers an excellent opportunity to bridge academic learning with practical experience.

Your degree will provide a valuable foundation for understanding child development, communication, learning, behaviour, cognition, and emotional wellbeing. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge in real-life situations, helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and develop the skills they need to thrive. You will gain first-hand experience of how different children learn, communicate, process information, and interact with the world around them. You will work closely with teachers, therapists, and other professionals to support pupils’ educational, social, and emotional development, while developing a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and complex learning needs.

• Supporting pupils with Autism and PMLD both in and out of the classroom.
• Helping students engage with learning activities tailored to their individual needs.
• Promoting communication, independence, and social development.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils.
• Supporting emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and support staff to deliver high-quality support.
• The opportunity to be trained in PECS and Makaton.

Throughout your degree, you will have developed an understanding of areas such as:

• Child and developmental psychology.
• Behaviour and learning theories.
• Cognitive development and information processing.
• Communication and social interaction.
• Mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Individual differences and neurodiversity.

These skills can help you understand why students may communicate, learn, or respond differently, allowing you to provide thoughtful, patient, and effective support. Equally important, this role will give you invaluable practical experience that cannot be gained through academic study alone.

• Hold a degree in Psychology or a related discipline.
• Be calm, patient, and level-headed in a variety of situations.
• Have a genuine passion for supporting children of all abilities.
• Be engaging, approachable, and able to build positive relationships with students.
• Demonstrate empathy, resilience, and excellent communication skills.
• Be eager to learn from experienced SEND professionals and develop their understanding of specialist education.

Previous school-based experience is beneficial but is by no means essential. We recognise that valuable skills can be developed in many different settings. Applications are welcomed from candidates who have experience supporting or interacting with children or adults with SEND through:

• Care work
• Volunteering
• Youth work
• Sports coaching
• Residential care
• Community projects
• Family support
• Mentoring or tutoring

What matters most is your ability to connect with young people, remain calm and positive, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to helping children reach their full potential.

• Meaningful experience within a specialist educational setting.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and therapists.
• Excellent starting point for aspiring Educational Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Therapists, Teachers, and other SEND professionals.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of children with complex needs.

If you are looking for a role where you can apply your psychological knowledge while developing practical skills that will shape your future career, we would love to hear from you.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, which may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants. We offer free online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service. All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see the Protocol Education website.