Criminology Graduate Role - Specialist Mental Health (SEMH) School

Axcis Education Recruitment; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education recruitment agency in Bristol is seeking a Graduate Therapeutic Support Assistant for a role in a SEMH school. The position offers a chance to work with young people facing emotional and behavioral challenges, providing essential support in a nurturing environment. Ideal candidates are graduates from psychology or related fields, with experience in youth support. This temporary position offers comprehensive training and potential for future roles in education or therapy.

Benefits

Ongoing support and training

Competitive weekly pay

Opportunity for a long-term position

Qualifications

• Graduate level education in relevant field.
• Experience in support roles involving young people.
• Enhanced DBS clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-class therapeutic support.
• Help students regulate emotions.
• Implement trauma-informed strategies.
• Build safe relationships with pupils.

Skills

Experience supporting young people

Calm and patient demeanor

Relationship building

Professional communication skills

Education

Graduate in Psychology, Education, or related fields

Job description

Graduate Therapeutic Support Assistant – SEMH & Behaviour Support (North/East Bristol)

Location: North/East Bristol
Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm
Pay: From £450 a week
Start Date: 5th January 2026

Are you a graduate looking to develop hands‑on therapeutic experience with young people who have social, emotional, and mental health needs? Do you want to work directly in classrooms, supporting students to regulate, engage, and succeed in a nurturing school environment? We are recruiting for a Therapeutic Support Assistant to join a specialist SEMH school in the North/East Bristol area. This role is ideal for graduates in Psychology, Criminology, Youth Work, Counselling, Education, or Social Sciences, who want meaningful, applied experience working with young people who present with complex behavioural and emotional needs. Successful candidates will work within classrooms, building strong relationships with students and supporting them through trauma‑informed, relational, and therapeutic approaches.

About the Setting

This specialist school supports children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, including those who have experienced trauma, attachment disruptions, or significant barriers to learning. The environment is highly relational, structured, and supportive. Staff work closely with therapeutic practitioners, mental health teams, and behaviour specialists to provide pupils with consistency, emotional safety, and opportunities to succeed. The school places a strong emphasis on classroom‑based therapeutic support, helping students manage emotions, develop resilience, and build confidence. There is also the potential for long‑term or permanent opportunities for those who thrive in the role.

Why This Role Is Ideal for Graduates

This position gives you direct experience relevant to career paths in Educational Psychology, Mental Health Support Work, Psychologist roles, Youth and Community Work, Social Work, SEMH or SEND teaching, and Therapeutic and counselling professions. You will learn how to apply trauma‑informed practice, understand behaviour as communication, and use relational strategies to help young people navigate emotional challenges. It offers precisely the kind of experience valued by postgraduate training routes.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing in‑class therapeutic and relational support
• Helping students regulate emotions and manage behaviour
• Implementing trauma‑informed strategies and de‑escalation techniques
• Building safe, trusting and consistent relationships with pupils
• Supporting engagement with learning and classroom routines
• Working collaboratively with teachers, mental health practitioners and behaviour leads
• Reinforcing boundaries, structure and positive behaviour

What You’ll Gain

• Hands‑on therapeutic and SEMH experience in a specialist school
• Training in trauma‑informed practice, PACE, restorative approaches and emotional regulation
• Experience working closely with teachers and therapeutic teams
• A deeper understanding of behaviour, mental health, and adolescent development
• A pathway into psychology, therapy, youth work, or social care roles
• Opportunity for a long‑term or permanent position

Who We’re Looking For

• A graduate in Psychology, Education, Criminology, Sociology, Social Work, Youth Work, Counselling or similar
• Experience supporting young people (schools, youth work, mentoring, care, coaching etc.)
• A calm, patient and resilient individual who can confidently support challenging behaviour
• Someone who builds relationships easily and communicates professionally
• An enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply)

Why Work with Axcis Education

• We specialise in SEND and SEMH recruitment
• Ongoing support, training and development
• Opportunities for progression and long‑term placements
• Competitive weekly pay
• A dedicated consultant who understands the needs of SEMH settings

If you want a role where your support directly changes the lives of young people every day, apply now for a January start.

For more details, contact Laura Dowson on 0117 472 2400 Ext: 2014.

Don't forget that we offer £50 in shopping vouchers if you refer a friend to us and we place them in the job.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.

Axcis is an equal opportunities employer and as such we do not discriminate based on age, gender, disability, race or any other equal opportunities criteria. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As such, you will be required to provide an up to date DBS, or be prepared to allow Axcis to process one on your behalf, in addition to other mandatory compliance checks in line with the DfE guidelines. If the position you are applying for involves working with children or vulnerable adults, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Axcis Education is an employment agency offering temporary supply work for daily, short‑term and long‑term assignments in addition to permanent positions. You must be suitably qualified for the position advertised and be prepared to attend a face‑to‑face interview with Axcis to demonstrate your suitability for this role. Salary / Pay Rate will be dependent on your skills and experience.

Contact: Laura Dowson

Telephone: [phone] Ext: 2014