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Psychology Graduate Mental Health Assistant - Pathway to Clinical Careers

Location: Bedford

Contract: Full-Time | Long-Term

Start Date: September 2025 (or sooner)

Salary: £460-£500 per week

Sector: Mental Health, Clinical Development, Education and Training

Are you a Psychology or Criminology graduate looking to begin your career in mental health, clinical practice and the education and training sector?

This is a Psychology Graduate Mental Health Assistant opportunity to gain vital, hands-on experience supporting students with complex needs in Bedford - and to step onto a clear pathway toward roles like Assistant Psychologist, Clinical Practitioner, or Therapist within a specialist clinical team.

Your Role: Psychology Graduate Mental Health Assistant

You'll be based in a highly regarded SEN school in Bedford, supporting children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs, Autism, and behavioural challenges. Working alongside a dedicated clinical and therapeutic team in Bedford, you will:

Deliver tailored 1:1 and small group interventions
Implement therapeutic strategies to support emotional regulation
Work in close collaboration with educational psychologists, counsellors, and therapists
Support the personal and academic development of students with complex needs
Build meaningful, trusting relationships that help students thrive

Career Progression into the Clinical Team

This role is designed as a clinical stepping stone - ideal for graduates seeking careers in:

Clinical or Educational Psychology
Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy
Specialist Teaching / SEN Education
Mental Health Support and Youth Intervention

Successful Psychology Graduate Mental Health Assistant candidates will have opportunities for structured professional development, internal training, and in some cases, progression into Assistant Psychologist roles or funded postgraduate pathways. Many of our graduates have continued into permanent roles within the Bedford school's multi-disciplinary clinical team.

Who We're Looking For

Final-year or recent graduates in Psychology, Criminology, or a related field
Passionate about mental health, neurodiversity, and making a difference in young lives
Committed to a long-term position (minimum 12 months) to ensure continuity of care
Experience working with children or young people (in any setting) is desirable, but not essential
Motivated, emotionally intelligent, and resilient in a rewarding and sometimes challenging role

Why Join This Role?

Gain real-world clinical experience before pursuing postgraduate study
Be mentored by experienced professionals in education and therapy
Work in a setting where your development is just as important as your students'
Make a measurable difference in the lives of children with SEMH needs
Join a supportive, forward-thinking team focused on trauma-informed care

Ideal for Psychology or Criminology Graduates preparing to launch their careers as a Psychology Graduate Mental Health Assistant in Mental Health or education and training sector