Job Description

Psychology and Criminology Graduate Teaching Assistant

Psychology Graduate Jobs | Criminology Graduate Jobs | SEN Teaching Assistant | Near Gloucester | September Start

8:30am to 3:30pm, 4 days per week

£14.25 per hour

Start Date: September 2026

Are you a Psychology or Criminology graduate looking to gain meaningful, hands-on experience supporting young people with additional needs, autism and mental health challenges?

This is an excellent opportunity for graduates considering careers in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Youth Justice or SEN Education to gain invaluable experience in a specialist further education setting near Gloucester.

You will support young people with autism, learning disabilities, communication needs and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, helping them access education, develop independence and build confidence within a calm, supportive environment.

Why Psychology & Criminology Graduates Are Ideal for This Role

Your degree has given you a strong understanding of behaviour, mental health, communication and human development.

Many students in this specialist college experience anxiety, sensory differences, emotional regulation difficulties or barriers to learning linked to neurodiversity and previous life experiences. Being able to build trusting relationships, stay calm, understand behaviour as communication and provide consistent support is at the heart of this role.

Your studies will have provided valuable knowledge of:

• Mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Behaviour and cognitive development

• Trauma-informed practice

• Communication and relationship building

• Autism and neurodiversity

• Positive behaviour support

• The importance of empathy, safeguarding and consistency

This role allows you to apply that knowledge in a practical setting while developing skills that are highly valued across psychology, healthcare, education and therapeutic professions.

About the Role

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, you'll work alongside experienced teachers and specialist support staff, helping students both in lessons and around the college campus.

You'll provide personalised support, encourage independence, assist with emotional regulation and help students engage positively with learning and college life.

No two days are the same, making this an incredibly rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys building meaningful relationships and making a genuine difference.

About the Setting

This specialist further education provider is well known for supporting young people with additional learning needs through a highly personalised approach to education.

Set within an extensive rural campus with access to specialist vocational facilities, outdoor learning opportunities and excellent student support services, the environment offers a unique alternative to traditional classroom-based education.

The organisation has been recognised for creating a caring, inclusive culture where students feel safe, respected and encouraged to achieve their individual goals. Staff work collaboratively to promote independence, wellbeing and preparation for adult life, with strong pastoral support and a genuine commitment to helping every learner succeed.

Key Responsibilities

• Support students during lessons and practical activities

• Build positive and trusting relationships

• Help students regulate emotions using calm, consistent approaches

• Encourage independence and confidence

• Support communication and social interaction

• Adapt support to meet individual learning needs

• Work closely with teachers, therapists and wider support teams

• Promote inclusion, wellbeing and student engagement throughout the college day

What You'll Gain

• Practical experience supporting young people with SEND

• Experience applying psychological theory in real-life situations

• Training in autism-informed practice and positive behaviour support

• Experience working alongside education and therapy professionals

• Greater understanding of neurodiversity, communication and emotional regulation

• Excellent preparation for careers in:

• Educational Psychology

• Clinical Psychology

• Mental Health

• Counselling and Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech and Language Therapy

• Social Work

• Youth Justice

• SEN Education

• Opportunity to secure a long-term or permanent position

Ideal Candidate

We're much more interested in your values than your experience.

You'll be someone who is:

• Compassionate and patient

• Curious about behaviour and mental health

• Calm under pressure

• A confident communicator

• Resilient and positive

• Passionate about helping young people achieve their potential

Graduates in Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Education or related subjects are encouraged to apply.

Experience working with young people through education, youth work, sports coaching, care, mentoring, support work or volunteering is welcomed but not essential.

If you're looking for a rewarding graduate role where you can develop valuable experience supporting young people with autism, learning disabilities and SEMH needs while preparing for a future career in psychology, mental health or education, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this role