Passionate about understanding behaviour and making a lasting impact on young people's lives?

Protocol Education is seeking dedicated and empathetic Criminology graduates to join schools across South Bristol as SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) Teaching Assistants. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your understanding of behaviour, risk factors, safeguarding, and intervention strategies while supporting vulnerable young people to achieve positive outcomes.

Whether you're considering a future career in youth justice, probation services, social work, mental health support, policing, safeguarding, or education, this position provides valuable frontline experience working directly with young people who require additional emotional and behavioural support.

Your Role

As an SEMH Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Support pupils with social, emotional, and behavioural needs within a school environment
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students who may face barriers to learning
• Help implement behaviour management and intervention strategies
• Support students in developing emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence
• Assist teachers in delivering engaging lessons and alternative learning activities
• Promote positive behaviour and encourage engagement both inside and outside the classroom
• Work collaboratively with teachers, SENCOs, pastoral teams, and safeguarding professionals

Why This Role Suits Criminology Graduates

Your degree has given you insight into:

• The causes and impact of challenging behaviour
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their influence on development
• Social inequality, vulnerability, and risk factors
• Rehabilitation, intervention, and support strategies
• Building positive relationships to encourage behavioural change

This role allows you to put that knowledge into practice while gaining valuable experience supporting young people at a crucial stage in their development.

What Your Day Might Look Like

• Supporting a small group of students with their learning and social development
• Helping a pupil regulate their emotions and remain engaged in lessons
• Providing encouragement and guidance during challenging moments
• Supporting behaviour interventions and pastoral activities
• Working alongside experienced education and safeguarding professionals
• Celebrating small victories that contribute to long-term positive outcomes

What Schools Are Looking For

• A Criminology graduate or someone with a strong interest in behaviour and intervention
• A calm, resilient, and empathetic approach
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience working with young people, either professionally or through volunteering
• The ability to remain positive and adaptable in challenging situations
• A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable young people

What You'll Receive

• Weekly PAYE pay with no umbrella company deductions
• Free CPD training to develop your skills in behaviour management, safeguarding, and SEND
• Ongoing support from a dedicated education consultant
• Opportunities to gain experience relevant to youth justice, social work, probation, mental health, and safeguarding careers
• Flexible working options that fit around your lifestyle and career goals

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 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.