Bristol | Gloucester | Full-Time | Term-Time Only | Long-Term Opportunities
Immediate Starts | Funded Training | Clear Career Progression
Are you a graduate looking to build a structured and meaningful career working with children and young people?
We are recruiting Graduate Learning Support Assistants to work across a network of specialist SEN and SEMH schools in Bristol and Gloucester. These are long-term, full-time roles offering hands-on experience supporting pupils with additional needs, alongside funded training and clear routes for progression within education and related fields.
This role is particularly well suited to graduates considering careers in educational psychology, clinical psychology, teaching, social work or youth justice.
As a Graduate Learning Support Assistant, you will gain practical, transferable experience supporting pupils with a range of additional needs in specialist educational settings.
You will work both 1:1 and in small groups, supporting students to engage with learning, develop emotional regulation, and build confidence within a structured environment.
Pupils you support may have:
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
- Autism (ASC), ADHD or communication needs
- Anxiety, attachment needs or behavioural challenges
- Additional learning or sensory needs
Some pupils may present behaviours that challenge. This role requires resilience, consistency and a calm, professional approach.
You will be placed in a specialist SEN or SEMH school across Bristol or Gloucester, matched to your experience and career goals.
These settings typically offer:
- Small class sizes and high levels of staff support
- Established behaviour and pastoral frameworks
- Structured environments designed to promote engagement and progress
- Opportunities to work alongside experienced SEN professionals
- Provide 1:1 and small group support within the classroom
- Assist with learning tasks, routines and behaviour strategies
- Build consistent, positive relationships with pupils
- Support emotional regulation and engagement in lessons
- Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs and pastoral teams
- Contribute to a calm, structured and supportive learning environment
We are looking for graduates who:
- Hold a degree in Psychology, Education, Criminology or a related field
- Have experience working with children or young people (e.g. tutoring, coaching, care, mentoring)
- Demonstrate an interest in SEN, mental health or behaviour support
- Are patient, resilient and motivated to pursue a long-term career in this field
Previous school experience is beneficial, but not essential.
This role is designed as a long-term career stepping stone, offering:
- Funded Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification in Gloucester schools
- Ongoing CPD in SEN, behaviour management and safeguarding
- Practical, hands-on experience working with complex needs
- Opportunities to progress into roles such as:
- Behaviour Mentor
- Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
- Teacher Training pathways
- Educational or Clinical Psychology routes (via further study)
- Weekly pay via PAYE (no umbrella deductions)
- Long-term placements (not day-to-day supply)
- Consistent support from experienced consultants
- Access to training and development opportunities
- Opportunity to secure permanent roles within partner schools
- Build relevant, high-quality experience for competitive postgraduate routes
- Develop skills in behaviour support, SEN and safeguarding
- Work in structured, supportive specialist school environments
- Begin a clear and credible career pathway within education and beyon