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
Assistant Psychologist roles
Youth and Community Work
Social Work
SEMH or SEND teaching
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
You will be working directly in classrooms each day, supporting students who display emotional and behavioural needs. This includes:
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
This is a highly interactive, relationship-based role where your presence and consistency will have a direct impact on student wellbeing and progress.
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.
INDBRI
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
Assistant Psychologist roles
Youth and Community Work
Social Work
SEMH or SEND teaching
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
You will be working directly in classrooms each day, supporting students who display emotional and behavioural needs. This includes:
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
This is a highly interactive, relationship-based role where your presence and consistency will have a direct impact on student wellbeing and progress.
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.
INDBRI