Job Title: Learning Support Assistant - Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Clinical / Educational Psychologist
Role: SEN Teaching Assistant – Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) School
Focus: Trauma-Informed Support, Emotional Regulation & Behavioural Intervention
Start Date: September 2026
Location: Hackney
Pay: £108 per day
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:45pm (Term Time Only)
Interviews & Trial Days: September 2026

Learning Support Assistant - Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Clinical / Educational Psychologist - Hackney

Are you a Psychology Graduate eager to gain meaningful, hands-on experience before progressing into Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling, or wider Mental Health Services?

Do you want to apply your understanding of developmental psychology, attachment theory, and neurodiversity in a setting where you can truly change lives?

Milk Education – a wellbeing-led and eco-friendly education agency – is looking for passionate Psychology and Social Science graduates to join a specialist SEMH school in Hackney.

Learning Support Assistant - Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Clinical / Educational Psychologist - Hackney

The Role: SEN Learning Support Assistant

This specialist provision supports pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, often arising from trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment disruptions, and wider community challenges. Many pupils display challenging behaviours, emotional dysregulation, and struggle to build trusting relationships.

This role is perfect for psychology graduates who are emotionally intelligent, reflective, and resilient, and who are keen to work in a high-impact environment where psychological theory is applied daily.

Learning Support Assistant - Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Clinical / Educational Psychologist - Hackney – Education and Training

What You'll Gain Experience In:

• Supporting pupils with emotional regulation, self-esteem, and pro-social behaviour using psychologically-informed approaches

• Working alongside staff on behaviour management and crisis de-escalation

• Facilitating restorative conversations and reflective conflict resolution

• Delivering 1:1 and small-group mentoring and therapeutic interventions

• Helping pupils build coping strategies, emotional literacy, and positive decision-making skills

• Gaining exposure to trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, and risk assessment

• Observing and recording behavioural and emotional patterns to inform multi-agency working

• Exploring the psychological impact of systemic factors including poverty, family breakdown, community violence, and exposure to criminality

This role offers exceptional preparation for careers in Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling, Play Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, and Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).

Learning Support Assistant - Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Clinical / Educational Psychologist - Hackney – Education and Training

Understanding SEMH Through a Psychological Lens

SEMH needs are often shaped by a complex mix of developmental trauma, attachment styles, neurodivergence (including ADHD and Autism), and environmental stressors.

In this role, you'll develop the skills to:

• Build consistent, trusting relationships grounded in attachment theory

• Support pupils to co-regulate and strengthen their emotional intelligence

• View behaviour as communication and respond with therapeutic insight

• Help young people re-engage positively with education and their wider community

Why Join Milk Education?

Training & CPD (Included):

• Free CPD in: Trauma-Informed Practice, Behaviour De-escalation, Safeguarding, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Attachment & Developmental Trauma, ADHD & Autism Awareness, and Restorative Practice

• Career-focused development aligned with clinical, educational, and counselling psychology pathways

Wellbeing & Ongoing Support:

• Access to a mental health and wellbeing platform, including counselling services

• A dedicated consultant committed to your professional and personal growth

Benefits for You:

• Competitive daily pay (£108 per day)

• Fast-track registration and compliance

• Flexible working opportunities

• 5-star rated agency with over 3,000 reviews

• Free access to Milk Academy with 1,000+ discounted, accredited CPD courses

• FREE wellbeing resources, PSHE materials, and school preparation packs

• 24/7 consultant support

• Access to Unbottled – bringing lived-experience speakers into schools

• Work with the UK's only eco-friendly education supply agency

• A nationwide network of schools and trusts

Who We're Looking For:

• Graduates in Psychology, Counselling, Developmental Psychology, or Social Science

• Aspiring Clinical Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Counsellors, or Mental Health practitioners

• Individuals passionate about early intervention, wellbeing, and safeguarding

• Calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent candidates

• Graduates comfortable supporting challenging behaviour and emotionally complex pupils

• People driven to make a genuine impact in youth mental health and prevention

Safeguarding Commitment

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting 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. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy, available on our website. Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

Learning Support Assistant - Psychology Graduate – Aspiring Clinical / Educational Psychologist - Hackney – Education and Training