Psychology Graduate - SEN Learning Support Assistant

Psychology Graduate looking to gain hands-on experience with children?

A welcoming Gateshead primary school is looking for a Psychology graduate to join its dedicated support team as a Learning Support Assistant from September.

This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate who wants to gain meaningful experience before progressing into Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Child Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling or other psychology-related careers.

The school has a strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and early support. You'll work alongside teachers, experienced support staff and the SENCO, developing a practical understanding of how children's development, behaviour and emotional wellbeing can impact their education.

About the Role

As a Psychology Graduate Learning Support Assistant, you will:

• Provide one-to-one and small group support to primary-aged pupils.
• Support children with Autism, ADHD, SEMH and other additional needs.
• Help pupils develop emotional regulation and positive social skills.
• Encourage confidence, independence and resilience.
• Support children who may experience anxiety, frustration or barriers to learning.
• Assist teachers with targeted learning and behavioural interventions.
• Observe pupil behaviour, engagement and progress.
• Share relevant observations with teaching staff and the SENCO.
• Help create a calm, structured and nurturing classroom environment.
• Build positive relationships with pupils while maintaining professional boundaries.

Why This Experience Matters for Psychology Graduates

This role provides genuine exposure to areas that are highly relevant to psychology, including:

• Child development and developmental psychology
• Behaviour and behavioural intervention
• Emotional regulation
• Neurodiversity
• Autism and ADHD
• Social and emotional development
• Mental health and wellbeing
• SEND and inclusion
• Observation and assessment
• Safeguarding
• Individualised support

You'll gain practical experience that can help you understand the application of psychological theory within a real-world setting.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a Psychology graduate who:

• Holds a Psychology degree.
• Is genuinely interested in child development and behaviour.
• Is considering a future career in psychology or a related profession.
• Is patient, empathetic and resilient.
• Can build positive relationships with children.
• Has excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Is willing to learn and develop within the school environment.

Previous experience working with children is desirable but not essential.

An Enhanced DBS on the Update Service is required, or you must be willing to obtain one.

What Protocol Education Can Offer

• Competitive weekly PAYE pay.
• Free CPD and specialist SEND training.
• Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement.
• Opportunities for long-term and permanent positions.
• Access to a wide network of primary schools.
• £50 Refer-a-Friend scheme.
• Ongoing career guidance and support.

If you're a Psychology graduate looking for meaningful, psychology-related experience with children, apply today with your CV for a September start.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

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’, this 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.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.

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