Job Title: Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant
Location: Barnet, London
Start Date: 7th September 2026
Contract: Full-time, Monday to Friday – Term Time Only
Pay: £108 per day
Sector: Education and Training – SEMH & Mental Health Support

Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant

Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant – Barnet
Education and Training – Mental Health – SEMH – Career Development Opportunity

Are you passionate about mental health, neurodivergence, and supporting young people to build independence and key life skills? Looking for hands-on experience before pursuing a career in clinical or educational psychology, counselling, CAMHS, occupational therapy, or therapeutic support?

We are recruiting compassionate, resilient, and proactive SEMH & Independence Support Assistants for a specialist school in Barnet. This school supports children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, including anxiety, trauma, attachment difficulties, ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent profiles. Many pupils have experienced adverse childhood experiences and require consistent, trauma-informed support to feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn.

This school places a strong emphasis on developing key skills and independence —helping pupils build the functional, social, and emotional capabilities they need to transition successfully into adulthood, further education, employment, and independent living.

This role is ideal for graduates and aspiring professionals who want to build a long-term career supporting children with mental health and neurodevelopmental needs, with a particular focus on empowering young people to become confident, capable, and autonomous individuals.

Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant – Education and Training - Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant

Why This Role Is Ideal for an Aspiring Psychologist

You will gain invaluable frontline experience directly relevant to:

• Clinical Psychology – trauma-informed care, attachment theory, mental health assessment, therapeutic engagement
• Educational Psychology – understanding how SEMH impacts learning, behaviour, and school engagement
• Counselling & Psychotherapy – building therapeutic relationships, active listening, and emotional support
• CAMHS & Mental Health Services – early intervention, emotional regulation, and wellbeing support
• Occupational Therapy – sensory regulation, co-regulation, and daily living skills
• Behaviour Analysis – understanding behaviour as communication, functional approaches, and positive behaviour support
• Neurodivergence & SEN – supporting pupils with ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental profiles

Through daily practice, you will develop expertise in:

• Trauma-informed and relationship-based support
• Emotional regulation and co-regulation techniques
• De-escalation and crisis management strategies
• Behaviour as communication – interpreting unmet needs
• Sensory support and environmental adaptations
• Building trust and safety with vulnerable young people
• Positive behaviour support and restorative approaches
• Teaching and reinforcing key life skills – communication, self-care, problem-solving, social interaction, and independence

Most importantly, you will see first-hand how consistent, empathetic, and psychologically-informed support—combined with a focus on practical life skills—can transform a young person's confidence, self-esteem, and ability to thrive independently.

Your Core Purpose

Your role is to help pupils feel safe, regulated, understood, and supported—while actively teaching and reinforcing the key skills they need for independence. You will:

• Build trusting, consistent, and positive relationships with vulnerable young people
• Support emotional regulation, mental wellbeing, and self-awareness
• Create a calm, predictable, and nurturing learning environment
• Teach and model key life skills – communication, organisation, problem-solving, self-care, and social interaction
• Encourage independence, resilience, and self-advocacy in everyday situations
• Raise attainment by building confidence, engagement, and a sense of agency in learning
• Help pupils understand that their mental health challenges and neurodivergence do not define their potential – and that they are capable of achieving independence

What You Will Be Doing

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with SEMH and neurodivergent needs
• Supporting pupils who may present with anxiety, emotional distress, or challenging behaviour
• Using trauma-informed, de-escalation, and co-regulation techniques to support pupils in crisis
• Actively teaching and reinforcing key skills – including communication, emotional literacy, organisation, time management, self-care, and social skills
• Supporting pupils to develop independence in daily routines, transitions, and practical tasks
• Helping pupils access lessons and classroom activities by removing emotional, sensory, and skill-based barriers
• Encouraging routine, structure, and predictability to reduce anxiety and build autonomy
• Using calm, consistent behaviour support and restorative approaches
• Supporting smooth transitions throughout the school day and preparing pupils for life beyond school
• Collaborating with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, CAMHS professionals, and pastoral teams
• Acting as a positive role model for patience, empathy, resilience, emotional regulation, and independence

We Would Love to Hear From You If You Have:

• A strong interest in psychology, mental health, neurodivergence, child development, or supporting independence
• Experience (paid or voluntary) in care, youth work, mentoring, SEN support, coaching, counselling, or community services
• A calm, patient, empathetic, and emotionally resilient personality
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with vulnerable young people
• A genuine passion for helping children and young people develop key skills and independence
• A proactive, encouraging approach to teaching life skills and promoting autonomy

You do not need previous school experience – your attitude, empathy, and willingness to learn are what matter most.

Full training in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, de-escalation, SEMH support, and independence-building strategies will be provided, along with regular supervision and team support.

Practical Details

The school is well connected by public transport in Barnet, with parking available nearby. The role is term-time only, offering a stable schedule. Pay is £108 per day, with weekly PAYE payments.

Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant Barnet

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

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.

Ready to start your career in psychology, SEMH support, and empowering independence?

Whether you are a recent graduate or career changer, we want to hear from you.

Apply today – your impact starts 7th September 2026.

Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant – Barnet
Education and Training – Mental Health – SEMH – Career Development Opportunity

Aspiring Psychologist – SEMH & Independence Support Assistant Barnet