Psychology or Criminology graduate - Academics : Job Details

Psychology or Criminology Graduate - School-Based Roles | Bedford | £460-£500 per Week

Location: Bedford

Start Date: September 2025 (or ASAP)

Contract: Full-Time | Monday-Friday | Term Time

Pay: £460 - £500 per week

Sector: Education and Training | SEN & Behaviour Support

Are you a Psychology or Criminology graduate ready to take the first step in your professional journey?

Do you want hands-on experience working with young people who face social, emotional, or behavioural challenges? Are you passionate about mental health, behaviour support, or youth intervention?

If so, this School Support Worker opportunity in Bedford could be the perfect launchpad for your career.

Why this role?

This role offers Psychology or Criminology graduates the opportunity to work in a specialist education and training setting supporting students with additional needs, including SEMH, autism, and behavioural difficulties. You'll be working alongside experienced professionals - including therapists, SENCOs, and safeguarding teams - gaining real-world experience that is highly valued by NHS mental health services, clinical psychologists, and youth offending teams.

The Opportunity for Psychology or Criminology graduate:

• Support vulnerable students aged 11-16 who may struggle with emotional regulation, social interaction, or behaviour
• Learn and apply key intervention strategies including trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, and safeguarding frameworks
• Collaborate with a skilled and compassionate team of teachers, support staff, and external specialists
• Work one-on-one or in small groups to help young people re-engage with learning and build emotional resilience
• Gain a strong foundation for roles in assistant psychology, youth justice, social work, counselling, or educational psychology

What We're Looking For:

• A degree in Psychology, Criminology, or a related subject
• A genuine interest in supporting young people with additional needs or challenging behaviour
• Resilience, patience, and a calm, confident approach
• Ideally some experience working with children or vulnerable individuals (e.g. voluntary, paid, or placement-based)
• Someone based in or near Bedford, or happy to commute
• A desire to make a difference and grow professionally within the education and training sector

What You'll Get:

• £460-£500 per week, paid weekly
• Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm (no evening or weekend work!)
• Valuable experience for your CV and future applications to MSc/Doctorate programmes or public service roles
• Access to expert training and a supportive school network
• A meaningful role where every day, your work has purpose

This is an ideal first step for Psychology or Criminology graduate if you're aspiring to become a Youth Justice Worker, Assistant Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, or Mental Health Practitioner.

Psychology or Criminology graduate in Bedford or the surrounding areas should apply now to start your journey in mental health, education or training or youth support.